When it’s bitterly cold outside, and you find yourself snuggling up under a blanket on the sofa, the time has definitely come to get the heating system sorted out. But you might have concerns over the costs involved, and with energy bills going up month by month, the finances of keeping warm might be a worry.
Thankfully the Radiator Outlet has some brilliant ideas for keeping your home warm without breaking the bank.
How To Keep Your Home Warm & Snug
1. Shield your windows
It’s expensive to replace draughty windows, but there is another option, and thats’ to insulate the windows using a plastic film insulation kit. You’ll find these at your local hardware store or on any of the home delivery internet websites. The film is quick and easy simple to put in place, and it will come with complete instructions for hassle-free installation.
Alternatives to fitting the film include hanging insulated drapes over your windows or using weather stripping or spray foam to close any cracks or crevices around your window frames.
2. Choose the right flooring
You need to choose the right flooring to keep your home warm. There are various options available, but some careful thought is required to ensure that you get the right type for your home.
- Wooden floors are great for being easy to clean and so are perfect for homes with children and pets. But, they can feel cold in the winter months. Pitting a rug on top of the wooden panels will help to reduce heat loss and keep your house warmer.
- Carpet provides an excellent insulator for keeping a home warm, though make sure that it’s kept clean for the heat retention to work in the most efficient way.
- Cork floors are also suitable for insulating your house because they are naturally thick and soft.
- You can use vinyl flooring for insulation as well. These are very durable and are available in a wide range of colors and designs.
3. Install double glazing
Updating the windows in your property will keep it warmer while also improving security and enhancing curb appeal.
The best way to ensure that your home is warm and cozy during the winter months is to install double glazing, and it will be far more effective at retaining heat than single glazing. You could also add secondary glazing for an extra layer of protection against draughts and cold air getting into your property.
4. Insulate as much as possible
The single best way to reduce heat loss is to insulate the walls and attic of your home. If you live in a newer house, this may not be necessary. However, if you have any walls that seem unusually cold or an attic with exposed joists or floorboards, it’s time to insulate.
Most homeowners can do this work themselves without too much trouble, but hiring a contractor is good if you don’t feel comfortable working with insulation.
5. Keep radiators clear of furniture
Keep your radiators clear to allow heat to flow freely through your home. If you have furniture on top of a radiator, it could be absorbing the heat. Move sofas and beds away from radiators and make sure curtains are not restricting heat.
Don’t cover the radiator with towels or clothes to dry on them – it may look neat, but it stops the warmth from getting out into the room.
Moreover, don’t block vents and air bricks – they’re designed to allow warm air to circulate freely around your home and stop dampness and condensation.
6. Service your boiler regularly
The type of boiler you have will determine how often it needs servicing. Gas boilers, for example, will need to be serviced by a qualified and registered engineer once a year. Over time, your boiler will become less efficient, and not only does that mean less heat coming into your home, but it also means higher fuel bills.
7. Bleed the radiators
When air gets trapped in radiators, it then prevents them from heating effectively. Once the trapped air is able to escape, it then allows the hot water to flow through the system more efficiently. A tell-tale sign of radiators that need bleeding is when there are cold spots on the radiator; the air blockage is causing these.
8. Replace the Boiler
As with any piece of equipment, there may come a time when the boiler needs to be replaced. It may be due to wear and tear or just because the appliance is getting old. Either way, as the boiler gets older, then its efficiency levels will begin to drop, and that’s when your fuel bills start to increase.
Modern boilers are becoming more and more efficient, so you will find that a new model is likely to save you money on your monthly energy bills.
9. Utilise Smart Technology
You can now control your boiler and heating system via your smartphone. That means that if you get delayed while you’re out, you can change the time that the heating comes on to prevent wasting energy.
You can also set up different heating zones in your home to enable different temperatures according to your requirements. For example, most people prefer the bedroom to be cooler than the living room.
10. Use Layers to Keep Warm
Rather than turning the thermostat up a notch, do think about whether you can keep your home nice and warm by instead popping on another layer. Now, we’re not for one moment suggesting that you go cold, but sometimes, another blanket on the bed, or popping on a tee-shirt under your jumper can make all the difference!
