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Keeping your home warm in winter

Keeping your home warm in winter

06 November 2017

Our top tips for keeping your home warm in winter. Its getting cold outside so it’s time to make sure it’s nice and warm inside. Here are our quick and simple tips for maximising your energy efficiency at home.

1. Curtains 

Thick curtains are one of the main ways to protect your house from losing heat through the windows. Curtains with a thermal lining are a relatively cheap option to add extra insulation. Make sure the curtains are kept closed in the evening, but let the light in during the day time to use as much natural heat as possible. 

2. Windows

Keep the windows closed. Especially your bedroom window at night. If you don’t have double glazing, look into buying some secondary glazing film which is easy to fit and cheap to buy. Exclude any draughts from around the window frames with self-adhesive foam strips.

3. Radiators

Clear the radiators of any obstacles such as sofas that may be in front of them. Put shelves above any radiators to stop hot air rising and to help channel the warmth into the room. Cover a thin sheet of card with tinfoil and place it behind your radiators. It’ll reflect the heat back into the room, making it warm up faster and retain more heat. Bleed your radiators to get rid of air pockets and ensure the whole radiator is getting warm, just not the bottom half. 

4. Floors

Floors account for 10% of heat loss if they're not insulated, according to the National Energy Foundation (NEF). Those with wooden flooring have to deal with heat loss through gaps and cracks in the flooring. Covering floor boards with rugs or even blankets will help. 

5. Boiler and heating system

It’s easy to just keep turning up the thermostat, but try and aim to keep your main rooms heated to between 18°C and 21°C. Make sure you are up to date with your annual boiler service. A service can resolve any minor problems that if left unrepaired, could cause significant malfunctions later – something you don’t need during the cold winter months.