Keeping warm this Winter

Its goodbye to Summer as the country has experienced some pretty-unfriendly weather during the past few weeks.

It is important to have a warm dry healthy home and here are some hints to help you have a happier winter.

Heating homes accounts for over 70% of household energy consumption. So, reducing this figure – while keeping homes warm enough – helps cuts energy bills.

So here are some simple tips for keeping your home warm for little or no extra cost – just in time for that looming severe weather warning.

1. Use your curtains:
   Heat from the sun is free so make the most of it. Open your curtains and let the sunlight in during the day to make use of this free heat. When it gets dark, shut your curtains, which act as another layer of insulation and keep warmth in your rooms. You should also make sure you don’t have any leaks or gaps so that the warm air can stay in and the cold air stays out – this also helps to reduce condensation.
   
   
2. Move your couch:
   It might feel great to have your favourite seat in front of the heater, but it’s absorbing heat that could be warming your home. By moving it away from the heater, hot air can circulate freely.
   
   
3. Maximise your insulation:
   When it comes to heat, around 25% is lost through the roof. This can be easily reduced by installing 25cm of insulation throughout your ceiling. It’s also worth seeing what’s going on in your walls, as around a third of the heat in an uninsulated home is lost this way. It’s worth checking with your council to see if they have any insulation schemes running – which can sometimes mean cheap or free installation. If you are renting, ensure your landlord is meeting legislative requirements around insulation.
   
4. Wrap up warm:
   Make sure your hot water cylinder is properly insulated. This will keep the water warmer for longer, and reduce heating costs.
   
   
5. Block out the draughts:
   Even a simple solution such as a making your own sausage dog draught excluder will help keep the warmth in your home. You can do this yourself for very little cost. Self-adhesive rubber seals around doors and windows and door draught excluders are relatively cheap and easy to install. So it’s worth getting those doors and windows sealed before winter properly kicks in.
   
   
6. Dry your clothes on the line: 
   If you can dry your clothes on the clothesline, outside, then do. Try to avoid drying clothes in front of the heater. All that water goes somewhere and creates a damp home, that is less healthy and harder to heat.