If you are decidedly unexcited about paying for your heating bills this winter, there are some tried and tested methods to help keep you cosy and warm as the winters draw in. By following these steps, you can use that angst that comes with the winter weather.
Attic insulation
Insulation is key to keeping the warmth within your home. The attic is the easiest place to add some insulation and the energy Star recommends 12 to 15 inches up there. Adding insulation can be as easy as heading over to B&Q and grabbing some roles to upgrade what is up there.
Winterise and save money
If you want to reduce your utility bills, there are loads of ways to winterise your house. Buy some draft snakes draft stoppers and stick them by the external doors, especially if you live in an old home. Get some heavy curtains to keep the warmth within your home. Make sure the kids don’t leave the doors open and that the garage door if it is an integral garage, is kept closed.
You could also consider some insulation in the garage if it is not very well winterised. Raising money for insulation can be a hassle, but thankfully, you can easily raise the needed funds by taking a mortgage towards home renovation.
Don’t have your sofa in front of the radiator
Most times the sofa ends up in front of the radiator to hide it and because it seems the best place for it to go. If you got curtains on your radiator drying clothes, or your seat is in front of it then you are having the heat go into those objects rather than dissipating around your home. Avoid having things that could absorb heat from radiators on the more touching them.
Seal and leaks and openings
The simple home improvement is to go around your windows and doors with a waterproof sealant and ensure that they are airtight. Bear in mind that if you make your home completely airtight and the risen ventilation you could end up with condensation problems as there will be nowhere for the water to escape to. In that case, you may want to invest in a dehumidifier to ensure that your home doesn’t get too damp.
Lay rugs on the floor
If you have wooden floors, then make it cold in the winter as this can make you feel even cheerier than you would otherwise. Also, by just adding some rugs to living areas or dining areas over the winter, you can make your home feel much warmer. The fluffier and thicker the rug is, the better as they will help you feel cosy.
Sort out the chimney
If you have a chimney that is decorative and not in use then make sure that you have a chimney balloon or that the chimney is blocked up as, otherwise, you’re just losing heat through that open space. Just remember to tell the kids that Santa can still get down the chimney.
So there you have it, many ways to ensure your home is that bit cosier over the winter months. The most important thing is to ensure that you are keeping as much energy within your home and are stopping the leaks from going out. You don’t want to be heating the outside air and pay for the privilege.
