Top Tips To Keep Your House Warm This Winter

The cost-of-living crisis, combined with plunging temperatures, means that the nation is thinking twice about turning the heating on, even though we’re feeling the freeze. 

What’s more, with everyone feeling the pinch, very few have the disposable income to throw at expensive heat-retaining solutions.

So, here are our top tips to keep your house warm this winter, on a budget:

SHUT UP SHOP

Who grew up in a household hearing “were you born in a stable”? Well, it’s time to revisit the past! Keep windows and doors firmly shut to stop the cold air getting in and the warm air getting out. 

Optimal temperature

Most people feel comfortable at a room temperature of 18-21 degrees Centigrade. Depending on the size of your home, where your thermostat is situated, and where you spend the most time in your house, it could work out cheaper to keep your home at a slightly lower, but steadier temperature. It’s tempting to switch the heating on for a couple of hours in the morning and evening, but to maintain a steady temperature, the heating may only flick on for up to an hour in total throughout the day.

Draw the curtains

If you can afford to, invest in some thermal curtains. They’re great for keeping the heat in during winter and out during the summer months. If you’re too late adding thermal curtains to your Christmas list then, instead, open your curtains when the sun is shining to make the most of the free solar energy. As soon as the sun starts to disappear, close the curtains to retain the heat.

Draught excluders

If you can feel a draught, it’s time to plug the gap. Consider installing draught-proof taping around doors and windows, brush panels on letter boxes, or insulating panels behind radiators. Please, however, do not block up air bricks that are in situ for reasons such as having a back boiler etc. 

Get creative

There is evidence to suggest that radiators only work at 50-70% efficiency. Allegedly, by placing tin foil behind your radiators, you can reflect some of the heat you would normally lose back into the room.

Insulation

It is possible to improve your home’s energy efficiency through better insulation. This might include an investment in cavity wall insulation, loft insulation, or insulation cuffs for your hot water cylinder, pipes, and radiators. Improved energy efficiency means that your home will retain heat in the winter and will be more resilient against the increasingly hot summers.

For more ways to keep up with the changing climate and cost-of-living crisis, you can sign up to my monthly newsletter. Equally, if you have a new building project or if you would like support in developing a more energy efficient home, you can get in touch with Wouter for a free consultation.