Summer is drawing to a close and many of us are already digging out the wintry clothing that we haven’t seen in months. As we approach winter, it will become apparent that temperatures are dropping, even when we’re in our homes. The world is currently experiencing a cost-of-living crisis, meaning that it’s going to become more and more expensive for us to heat our homes. It’s for this reason that many of us will be searching for ways to keep warm in winter, aside from cranking the thermostat up. Discover the top tips on how to keep your home warm this winter.
Use Radiator Panels
One of the first things that you can do is install measures so that the heat in your home is reflected into the room rather than sitting on the walls. These measures include radiator panels that sit behind and slightly above your radiator to reflect the heat into the room and prevent it from sitting on the wall.
Upgrade Your Boiler
As a rule of thumb, boilers should be replaced every 10 years. So, if your boiler is older than 10 years old, it may be time for a replacement. As technology advances, boilers become more efficient, meaning that they use less amount of energy and produce the same amount of heat, if not more. Therefore, a new boiler could save you a lot of money in the long run when it comes to heating your home, and a lot less headache during the winter season.
Install Thermostatic Radiator Valves
Thermostatic radiator valves are heating controls that can save you 40% of your heating bills. Essentially, thermostatic radiator valves enable you to program your heating to come on at specific times, meaning you’re only using energy when you need it. Similarly, most new thermostats can be controlled by your smartphone, so you can adjust them even when you’re not home.
Block Out Drafts
It may sound like one of the simplistic things you can do but blocking out drafts is one of the most effective ways of keeping your home warm. In fact, draft proofing your windows and doors could save you as much as $30 per year on your energy bills. The best thing is that draft proofing isn’t even expensive, and you can do it yourself by placing self-adhesive rubber seals around your windows and doors. Similarly, you can easily find draft excluders to place at the foot of your exterior doors.
Turn Down the Temperature
When attempting to warm up your home, it might sound silly to turn down the temperature on your thermostat. The recommended temperature to warm up a home is around 70°F; however, reducing this by just 32°F could reduce your energy bills by as much as 10%. As a result, we deem that the ideal temperature to heat your home in an affordable manner is 65°F.
Wrap Up
Before you reach for the thermostat dial, be sure that you’re wrapped up warm in cozy clothes, and you might even want some blankets. Warming yourself rather than the house will be a much cheaper way of avoiding the cold and, let’s face it, it’s much more comfortable to be in fluffy pajamas, too! You might also grab a hot water bottle or a heat up wheat bag to keep frosty temperatures at bay.
Maximize Insulation
As much as 25% of your home’s heat is lost through the roof, meaning that you’ll want to install some insulation and avoid this from happening. Similarly, a whole third of your home’s heat may be being lost via your walls, so be sure to check these out too during your assessment of your home’s insulation. Optimizing the insulation in your home isn’t necessarily the cheapest procedure, but it’s well worth it when you consider the positive impact it has on your energy bills.
Move the Couch
Though it may seem like the smartest idea, keeping your couch in front of the radiator might not be keeping you as warm as you might think. Instead, placing your couch in front of the radiator inhibits the hot air from circulating, which results in a cooler home.
Use Timers on Central Heating
It’s thought to be cheaper to turn your heating on at a lower temperature for around half an hour, rather than whacking it on at a high temperature as soon as you need it. This is where a timer could be very helpful, as you can time the heating to come on before you’ve even woken up.
Use the Curtains
Last but not least, you should use your curtains. It feels like we pay for everything these days, but they’re yet to find a way to charge us for sunlight. Keep your curtains open in the day so that the sun heats your home and close them at night to create a layer of insulation.