How to Maintain a Cosy Home in the Coldest Months
Here in the UK, we most commonly switch on our central heating between the months of October and March. Despite being the most stereotypically discussed subject by Brits, few of us are aware of the fact that heating our homes takes up a massive 70% of our household energy consumption. With recent figures showing that nearly 3 million of homes in the UK are unable to keep their home warm, it’s time to change the way we heat our homes.
With the weather becoming more and more unpredictable due to climate change, we are sometimes forced to switch on earlier and turn off later year by year. The UK government is committed to reduce its carbon waste and there are simple steps we can all take to help the damage this is going to our environment. With a severe weather warning on the way, try the following tips to keep your home cosy in the most cost effective way possible.
Boiler Replacement
It’s surprising how many of us don’t know how long we have had our boiler. If your boiler is more than 10 years old, it may be time to change to a more efficient model. Depending on the type of boiler your house needs, boiler replacement could be the best way to make huge savings to your household bills (up to £350 annually on average).
Wrap Up Your Water Tank
If you have a hot water tank in your home, consider dressing it in an insulating jacket. The purpose of this is to keep its contents warmer for longer, thus reducing your heating costs.
Roof and Wall Insulation
“A shocking quarter of your household heat is lost through your roof and having a poorly insulated loft, with a further third being lost through the walls.” states professional loft experts, Milosh Lofts. Loft and cavity wall insulation is a slightly costlier way to improve the insulation of your home initially, but its rewards can be reaped through massive savings on your annual heating bill. Some energy suppliers also offer support in insulation through the running of schemes which could provide cheap or even free installation.
Move Your Furniture
Placing furniture around your radiators can be the reason your home isn’t as warm as it could be. Rearranging your furniture will allow the heat and warm air to circulate more freely. Similarly, ensuring that you keep curtains or drying clothes away from radiators will ensure you get the most efficient heating for your money.
Turn Your Heating Down
It was previously suggested that the minimal temperature a living room should be is 21 degrees Celsius, however new statistics have challenged this and have reduced this to 18 degrees Celsius. Research has also shown that turning down your thermostat by one degree alone could cut your heating bill by up to 10%.
Curtains Are Key
Opening up your curtains during the day is the quickest and easiest way to warm hour home with the naturally emitted heat from the sun. Similarly, closing your curtains when it gets dark is a way of insulating your windows and keeping existing warmer for longer.
