Keeping your home warm isn’t just about turning up the heating; it’s about understanding what goes on and how energy efficient your home is. Because if you’re not proactive about keeping the heat locked in your home, you’re simply wasting money turning the thermostat up each day to beat the chill. Comfort doesn’t come from turning the heat up, it comes from fixing those problems that undermine your home.
Seal The Spots That Steal Warmth
Every house has those “leaks” and we’re not talking plumbing leaks; the spots where heat escapes, never to be seen again. On their own, these tiny gaps might not seem like much of a problem, but collectively they are. In fact, the Energy Saving Trust says sealing drafts like this can save roughly £60 to £80 per year.
Luckily for the most part, you don’t need major renovations, just some sealant and weatherproof tape, and you’re good to go. Get a door snake behind doors with large gaps, reseal window and door frames, and don’t forget underneath the window ledge too; that can be a major contributor to heat loss in any room.
Upgrade Windows
Old windows are often the weakest link when it comes to heat preservation. Wooden frames that swell and shrink with the weather aren’t exactly the most efficient. Add to this rattling panes, and it’s easy to see where the heat is going.
But it’s not just single-pane windows that are your enemy; old, worn, or blown double-glazed windows will also be detrimental to your comfort during the prolonged UK winter. Whether you swap old wooden frames for upvc windows or upgrade old double glazing for modern triple-glazed options, you can not only benefit from a more airtight home but also increase security and noise reduction.
Layer Up
Not to your body unless you want to, then go for it. But layer up around your home to add comfort and warmth, or to avoid turning the heat up so you can make your home more energy efficient.
Fabrics are where it’s at. Start with layered rugs on the floor, especially over tile, floorboards, or laminate flooring. Not only do they look good, but they also give you warmth to take the chill out of a room.
Pair your rugs with floor-length curtains that block windows and external walls and give you an added barrier between your home and the outside world. Go one step further and get thermally lined outerwear that you count on to keep the heat in and cold out. You can even add floor-length curtains to doors, too, especially your front door, to help you increase energy efficiency.
Keep It Steady
Most people crank the heat up, overheat, then turn it off for rapid cooling when they get too hot. This is the worst way to waste energy and money. The trick here is to keep things steady. A digital thermostat allows you to keep a consistent temperature throughout the day, and it can cost much less than frequent bursts of heat. And when your home has been sealed and insulated properly, the difference can show up quickly, and you can turn the thermostat down slightly to maintain an even, comfortable temperature throughout the home – plus setting it slightly lower for overnight or periods when one is home means you can still keep the house warm, but you don’t waste heat if the place is empty.
*This is a collaborative post
