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Christmas and Boxing Day tend to fly by in a blur of food, family and plans. But for many of us, they’re followed by that odd in-between period before New Year – when work is quieter, routines are on pause, and not much really happens. It’s often one of the few times of year we’re properly at home with a bit of time on our hands.
That makes it a great opportunity to tackle a few small DIY jobs around the house. We’re not talking about anything difficult or time-consuming, just simple improvements that help your home work more efficiently. A few hours spent on these quick fixes now can make your home warmer, more comfortable, and cheaper to run throughout 2026.
Why small DIY energy jobs make such a big difference
Most homes don’t lose heat because of one major problem. Instead, it’s lots of small things adding up – draughts around doors and windows, radiators not working properly, or heat being lost through pipes and walls. When heat escapes, your heating system has to stay on longer to keep rooms comfortable, quietly pushing up your energy bills.
Fixing these small issues slows heat loss and makes better use of the energy you’re already paying for. These jobs are low-cost, easy to do yourself, and once they’re done, they keep saving you money year after year. Doing them during the Christmas downtime means you’ll feel the benefits straight away and well into the new year.
Draught-proof windows, doors and letterboxes
Even the smallest gaps around windows, doors and letterboxes can let a surprising amount of warm air escape from your home. During the cold months, this constant trickle of cold air makes rooms feel draughty and uncomfortable, often leading people to turn the heating up without realising that the house still doesn’t feel warm. Draught-proofing tackles this problem at the source by sealing those gaps and helping your home hold onto the heat it already has.
It’s one of the simplest DIY jobs you can do, but also one of the most effective. Self-adhesive draught strips, sealant, brush strips and letterbox covers are inexpensive and widely available, and most can be fitted in under an hour. Most people notice the difference almost immediately, with fewer cold spots and rooms feeling warmer for longer. If you reduce unwanted draughts, your heating doesn’t have to work as hard to maintain a comfortable temperature, leading to noticeable savings on your energy bills over time.
Bleed your radiators
If your radiators feel cold at the top, take a long time to heat up, or warm unevenly, trapped air could be stopping them from working properly. This is a common issue, especially in older systems or homes that haven’t had radiator maintenance for a while. When air gets trapped inside the radiator, it blocks the flow of hot water, reducing how much heat the radiator can give off.
Bleeding your radiators releases that trapped air and allows hot water to flow evenly again. It’s a quick and straightforward job that usually takes just a few minutes per radiator and requires minimal equipment.
Once done, radiators heat up more efficiently, rooms warm faster, and your heating system doesn’t need to stay on as long to achieve the same level of comfort. It’s a small task, but one that can significantly improve how well your heating performs.
Add radiator reflector foil
Radiators that are fitted to external walls can lose a lot of heat straight into the wall behind them. Instead of warming the room, some of that heat is absorbed by brickwork and slowly lost to the outside. Radiator reflector foil or panels are designed to solve this problem by reflecting heat back into the room where it can actually be felt.
The foil or panels are fitted behind the radiator and act as a barrier, pushing warmth forward instead of letting it disappear into the wall. This helps rooms heat up more efficiently and makes better use of the energy your heating system is producing. It’s a particularly effective solution in older homes with solid walls or limited insulation, and it’s a quick DIY job that continues to deliver benefits every time the heating is on.
Insulate your hot water pipes
Hot water pipes that aren’t insulated lose heat as water travels from your boiler to taps, showers and radiators. This means water cools down before you even get to use it, leading to longer wait times for hot water and more energy being used to reheat it. Over time, that wasted heat adds up on your energy bills.
Adding foam pipe insulation is a quick and simple way to prevent this heat loss. The insulation fits snugly around exposed pipes and helps keep the water hotter for longer as it moves through your home. Pipe insulation is low-cost, easy to install, and works quietly in the background without any ongoing effort. It’s especially worthwhile in areas like cupboards, garages and lofts where pipes are more exposed to cold air.
Switch to LED light bulbs
Replacing older halogen or inefficient light bulbs with LED lighting is one of the easiest energy-saving upgrades you can make. LEDs use significantly less electricity to produce the same level of brightness and last much longer than traditional bulbs, which means fewer replacements and lower running costs over time.
While lighting may not be the largest part of your energy bill, the savings are consistent and add up year after year. Every time you switch on a light, an LED bulb uses less energy than a traditional bulb. It’s a simple swap that takes minutes to do and delivers long-term benefits, making it an ideal job to tick off while you’re at home over the Christmas break.
A little effort during that quiet Christmas-to-New Year period can go a long way. These small DIY jobs don’t take long and don’t require specialist skills, but having the right tools on hand can make them quicker, easier and far more satisfying to complete – and that’s where our tool hire service comes in!
At Smiths Hire, we have the tools needed for all sorts of DIY projects this New Year, whether you’re planning a quick fix or a slightly bigger job. Simply place a hire request through our website or request a callback today. You can also visit one of our 18 friendly Hire it Centres or speak to a member of our team on 0333 323 2100 — no job is too big or small!
