One thing you can be sure of in Britain is that winter is going to be cold and a bit miserable. While keeping your heating on all the time may be tempting in order to stay warm, it isn’t the most energy-efficient option – especially with energy costs increasing.
Before the weather really takes a turn, it’s a good idea to make sure your home is ready for winter so you can stay nice and warm without having to dread your energy bill. Here are some great ways to enjoy a warm home this winter without spending a fortune on heating.
Check your insulation
Heat rises, which means that you can lose a lot of it through your roof, especially if your loft isn’t adequately insulated. According to the UK government, you can cut the cost of your heating by up to 20% simply by ensuring that your loft has the right amount of insulation.
This means checking that you have the right thickness of insulation in your loft but also that it has been laid in the right place. Your loft insulation should be laid between the joists of the loft floor, without any gaps.
The right thickness of insulation depends on the type you have. It is recommended that your insulation be 220mm if it is cellulose, 250mm for rock wool and 270mm for glass wool. Laying out more insulation to meet or exceed these measurements can help stop so much heat escaping through your roof and keep your home feeling toasty.
Deal with drafts
Not only are drafts uncomfortable, but they can also affect the temperature of your home, so it’s a good idea to check for drafts to deal with them. In some cases, this can be a simple case of putting down a draft excluder, but you may want to look at more long-term options for improved comfort.
Doors and windows are often the main culprits when it comes to drafts, so it’s worth checking them all. You can easily add self-adhesive rubber seals to doors and windows to reduce drafts, as well as a letterbox draft excluder to your front door.
Drafts can also get in through cracks in your floor or between floorboards. Sealing your floor can help with this, as can laying rugs or installing insulating underlay under your carpet. While these options may come with a large upfront cost, they will help you save on heating over years so are definitely worth investigating.
Stop blocking your radiators
The layout of many rooms in the UK means that quite often furniture is placed against a radiator to make the most of the available space. While this will help you utilise your space better, it can stop your heating from being effective.
Placing a sofa, chair or bed up against your radiator means that air cannot circulate around it when the heating is on. Moving your furniture away from the radiators allows air to freely circulate, which will mean warm air is better able to travel throughout your room.
Similarly, having curtains hang over radiators or placing clothes directly on them to dry will limit how effective they are, so it’s best to make sure your radiators are free of all obstructions.
Get cosy
As well as ensuring your home is all set to deal with the cold, you should make sure you are as well. This means getting yourself some thick socks, slippers, jumpers, hot water bottles and a nice fluffy blanket. Rather than just blasting the heating and trying to stay warm that way, adding layers will help you feel the cold less and spend less on heating.
You can even up the cosy factor with things like scented candles (which will also help improve the temperature of a room slightly), hot chocolate and other warming treats. With the nights closing in sooner, you might as well make the most of them and enjoy getting tucked up on the sofa in the evening!
Turn your heating down
It may seem that turning your heating down isn’t the best way to stay warm but it will help you feel the cold less while also reducing your energy bills during winter. Reducing the temperature you set your heating by just 1°C can reduce your energy bill by up to 10%, which can make a big difference.
According to Public Health England, the best temperature to set your heating to is 18°C. This gives you a comfortable baseline that will keep away the chill while also not costing you a fortune. If you combine this with the tips above, you’ll be able to enjoy a warm and cosy home this winter without spending a fortune on your heating bills.
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