As temperature levels cool and energy prices rise, we’ve assembled our best ideas on how to keep your house warm this winter, while having the included advantage of saving money on your expenses.
CAPTURE THE SUN’S HEAT
As the sun’s heat is free, try and capture it for yourself. Keep your curtains and blinds open in the day to let in as much sunshine as is offered. As night falls, close your curtains to keep in the warmth. Purchase thicker drapes to prevent heat leaving, or treat yourself to a brand-new thermally lined blind.
PREVENT DRAUGHTS
Keep your internal doors shut to keep the rooms where you spend the most time warm. If you discover a draught blowing under your door, purchase or make a basic draught excluder or have them fitted to all your doors.
TURN DOWN THE HEAT
Decline your thermostat by just 1 ° C, which might save up to 10 per cent on your annual heating expense. But make certain you keep in mind that Public Health England recommends a minimum space temperature of 18 ° C.
UNBLOCK RADIATORS
Bleed radiators to make sure there is no air caught and they are working efficiently. Ensure you have no drapes or furniture covering your radiators so they do not obstruct the heat. A sheet of special radiator foil (or perhaps foil-covered card) down the back of the radiator assists show heat back into the space.
UPGRADE YOUR GLAZING
Most houses are now equipped with double glazing. Did you know triple glazing is roughly 40% more energy efficient than an A-Rated double glazed window (according to the GGF Energy Saving Calculator)? Three panes of glass triples the quantity of glass that heat has to make it through, slowing its movement and trapping air to provide real insulation power. Development’s double or triple glazed windows included a 10-year warranty and are extremely energy effective.
BLOCK UP FIREPLACES
When your wood-burning range is not in use, inspect the flue and glass doors are closed to reduce heat loss. If your fireplace is merely decorative, how about fitting a chimney balloon? This inflated bag fills the chimney to prevent heat escaping and cold air intruding.
NARROW THE GAP
Inspect floorboards and skirting boards for spaces – 15 percent of your house’s heat can be lost through the flooring alone. It’s basic to fix with some sealant, saving cash on your heating expense. Cat flaps can be sealed with an old blanket and letterboxes can be filled with a brush.
UPDATE YOUR BOILER
If your boiler is over 10 years old, consider changing it with a more energy efficient one, which is most likely to save you cash on your heating bills in the long run. Boilers are ranked from A to G, whereby A is the most effective. If you’re not all set to upgrade, our recommendations is to service your boiler yearly to ensure it’s running efficiently and won’t break down when you least anticipate it.
WARM UP YOUR FLOORS
If you have not got underfloor heating, a chunky rug will add an extra layer of heat to a tiled or wood floor. And if that does not warm your feet up, try thermal socks!
INSULATE YOUR ROOF AND WALLS
Poorly insulated roofs and walls are responsible for half the heat loss in a normal home. The Energy Saving Trust approximates the average British house could save as much as ₤ 200 by installing adequate loft insulation and cavity wall insulation. So next time you’re up in the loft, examine your insulation levels and do not forget to see if there are any draughts getting away through your loft hatch.
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