5 ways to get your home winter ready
Posted on 20th September 2022 at 11:40
It’s getting to that time of the year when darkness falls a little sooner and the cold starts creeping in. Many of us love the feeling of the crisp, autumn air. It’s a beautiful time of year. However, autumn will be over before we know it.
Winter is approaching and given the predicted rise in energy bills, it’s understandable that people are feeling apprehensive. There are steps we can take to make sure our homes are ready for winter and don’t cost the earth to heat.
Use the sun, it’s free
Retaining natural heat is the most cost-effective way to ensure your home is cosy in the winter. Keeping your curtains open until about an hour before dark will hold in some of the heat accumulating throughout the day. The earliest you should do this is around 3pm in the heart of winter.
Thermal-lined curtains are a great addition to any room and make a bigger difference than you might think.
Make sure you keep all your doors and windows shut whenever possible. It takes significantly more energy to heat a cold space than to keep it warm.
Service your boiler and bleed your radiators
Your boiler is the underappreciated workhorse of your home. It happily chugs along without much recognition, until it stops working.
It’s a common saying, ‘you don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone’. This rings true when you have no choice but to have a freezing cold shower or have people sidestep you for being a sweaty mess after a night of dancing to Don’t Stop Believing.
It’s best for all involved to make sure this doesn’t happen and keep up regular servicing.
Bleeding your radiators will ensure there is no air trapped in the system. Radiators working to their full potential are more efficient and cost less. It’s a simple process and worth adding to your to-do list.
Loft insulation
A whopping third of all the heat in your home is lost through the roof. Adding loft insulation is one of the best ways to keep your home warm in the winter and keep your bills down.
It’s usually a quick process and can save you upwards of £500 pounds a year on your energy bill. Loft insulation is a no-brainer as it will pay for itself many times over in its lifetime.
Adjust your boiler’s flow and return rate
Most gas boilers are set to an 80/60 flow and return temperature rate. This means the boiler heats the water to 80°C and returns at 60°C after circulating the house.
Setting this to a 70/50 flow and return rate will heat your home just as well and reduce your energy consumption.
Your heating doesn’t just serve to keep you warm. It will also ensure your home is dry, preventing condensation and damp becoming a problem.
Think about where you place your furniture
Is your sofa or bed pushed up against a radiator? Large pieces of furniture can disrupt the circulation of warm air. Ensure that radiators are as unobstructed as possible.
Lay the room out to be open and airy. This is great for circulating warm air and creating space for those Journey dancing sessions.
Adding extra soft furniture will go a long way to making you feel warmer and cosier. Layering the floor with rugs, especially those made from wool or similar materials, will retain the room’s heat.
Winter is on its way, but these are some simple steps we can take to ensure that our homes are ready. Bring on the season of toasty coffees and warming wine.
If you are looking for ways to get your home ready for winter, please feel free to contact us at any time by calling 01604 380 930 or email us on info@srgillbuilders.co.uk.
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