How to keep your house warm during winter
The winter season is here, which means keeping your home warm and cosy becomes a top priority. Yet with the energy price cap remaining “more than 50% higher than pre-pandemic levels” and with costs anticipated to “hit almost £1,900 a year on average” it’s become increasingly costly to heat your home.
That’s why we’ve put together these top tips on how to keep your place feeling snug during the coldest months of the year.
Optimise your heating system
One of the best ways to keep your house heated consistently is to optimise your heating system. Get a professional to undertake boiler maintenance and check that all parts are working efficiently as common issues such as your boiler losing pressure, leaking water or suffering from a frozen condensate pipe may leave you high and dry. Don’t be alarmed though, these issues are usually an easy fix and spare parts such as central heating pumps can be bought from suppliers like RS. These streps will reduce the likelihood of unwanted breakdowns during the coldest months of the year.
Then, programme your heating in a way that best suits you and your family. If you don’t have one already, it’s worth getting a thermostat with a built-in timer so you can set your heating to come on at the times you need it.
After all, there’s no point spending money on heating when you’re not there. For instance, you may want it to come on after work or when the kids get home from school – but not in the middle of the day.
Enhance your insulation
Another effective method is to enhance your home’s insulation. This will keep your home warmer for longer, stopping heat from escaping through the walls, floors or roof. This may involve employing a professional to install insulation material into wall cavities or lay rolls of mineral wool in the loft.
While some types of insulation can be pricey upfront, it’ll save you money in the long run as you’ll use less fuel. This will ultimately cut the cost of your energy bills.
If you’re looking for low-cost solutions consider draught-proofing, which stops cold air from entering your property. You could improve the silicone sealant around windows and doors, pop brush strips in your letter box or install covers over keyholes.
Make small changes inside
There are several small tweaks you can make to your home to help retain heat during the winter months. For example, you could hang thermal curtains to create more of a barrier between the inside and outside of your property.
Rugs can be used on hardwood or laminate floors to reduce heat loss and create a cosy feel. Simple furnishings like blankets and cushions can also help you to feel warmer when relaxing at home.
It’s also worth making a conscious effort to open all your curtains and blinds when the sun comes up. The sunlight will naturally heat up your home, making this an easy (and free!) way to keep your house cosy.
By making small tweaks to your interior, improving insulation and optimising your heating system, you can help to keep your home warm and snug during the cold winter months.
