As we head into winter, it’s time to think about turning the central heating back on. However, this can quickly rack up mega energy bills – up to 233% more than your regular energy usage. Luckily, there are a few tips and tricks which can help you stay cosy this winter without blowing your budget; here’s how you can keep your house warm well into the cold months.
Invest in double glazing
Instead of frittering away money on the warmth that leaks out after a few hours, it’s often much more sensible to pay the upfront fee for double glazed windows. Double glazing significantly reduces the amount of heat that enters and exits your home. This means that your home will keep toasty in the winter and – planning ahead to 2020 – cooler in the summer. Upgrading your windows will save you money in the long run due to energy efficiency. You won’t need to have the central heating on 24/7, as your home will be able to properly maintain its temperature.
Be smart about curtains
It might sound obvious, but not many people do this. Good-quality curtains can really maximize the warmth of your home; despite low temperatures, the winter sun can pack a decent punch when the skies are clear, and warm your house in the daytime. Thick curtains act as a second layer of insulation around the windows, meaning that less of your hard-earned heat will leak out. You could even invest in some thermal curtains to really make sure no warmth is being lost.
Light up your fireplace
There’s probably nothing more comforting than sitting around a crackling fire in the dead of winter. If you’re lucky enough to have a working fireplace (always check the flue first – it may need to be unblocked), then you have an easy, cheap source of heat available. Plus, you’ll get holiday bonus points if you have any guests over.
Crackdown on draughts
Draughts from under doors and windows can have a huge impact on the temperature of your house. Thankfully, this is easy to manage – fit your house with sausage dog draught excluders or rubber adhesives under any leaky doors, and you should see an increase in warmth almost instantly. According to the Energy Saving Trust, this simple trick could save you £25 a year on your bills.
Rearrange your furniture
To get the most out of your heaters, a little feng shui may be in order. Make sure that your furniture isn’t blocking the warm air – lookout especially for sofas directly in front of radiators or vents. If you’re using a fireplace, make sure that your furniture is arranged to allow for hot air circulation around the room. On a similar note, it may be wise to insulate behind your radiators – you want to heat your rooms, not your walls!
