Our top tips for keeping your home warm in winter.
It’s 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 daytime 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 floorboards 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.
On the more expensive side of solutions, you could opt to add flooring insulation or even an underfloor heating system,
or you may choose to fully carpet your home. Cheaper options include putting down rugs to keep the
heat in and also make your feet feel warmer, or filling gaps in floorboards and skirting boards.
Keeping the heat in
Insulating your home not only keeps you warm but will also help to keep your energy costs down.
Fit draught proofing to seal any gaps around windows and doors.
Turn your boiler down to 60 degrees so the flow is lower and it will give you more efficiency.
The Risks of a Cold Living Environment Asthma.
Worsening Pulmonary Conditions. Heightened Risk of Infection. Respiratory Infections.
Why is my house so cold even with heating on?
The reasons your house is cold even with the heat on could be because of poor insulation,
your boiler not working properly, rooms with high ceilings, or your heating system doesn't cover the whole house.
Each of these issues can prevent your home from properly heating.
6 Areas of Your Home Where You Lose the Most Heat
Basement Walls and Floors. 20% of home heat is lost through basement walls.
Cracks in Walls, Windows and Doors.
Poorly Insulated Windows.
Framed Walls.
Ceilings.
Exterior Doors.
As winter storms become more intense and unpredictable, you may be wondering, “how long will my house stay warm without power?”
The average home will stay warm for 8-12 hours after the power goes out.
After the first 8-12 hours, most homes will experience a gradual cooling over the course of the next couple of days.
How can I stay warm when I can't afford heat?
6 cost-effective ways to keep the heat in Layer up.
Wearing lots of layers, rather than one thick piece of clothing, is a smart way to keep warm in winter.
Keep draughts out and heat in.
Be clever with heating.
Make warming food and drinks.
Get moving.
Check what support you can get.
What is an unhealthy room temperature?
A safe temperature is accepted to be between 68- and 74-degrees Fahrenheit for people above the age of 65.
The temperature inside your home should not reach below 68 degrees Fahrenheit in any case,
as that increases the risk of respiratory disease and even hypothermia if there is prolonged exposure.
Approximately 65 degrees Fahrenheit The best bedroom temperature for sleep is approximately 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18.3 degrees Celsius).
This may vary by a few degrees from person to person, but most doctors recommend keeping the
thermostat set between 60 to 67 degrees Fahrenheit (15.6 to 19.4 degrees Celsius)
for the most comfortable sleep.29 Sept 2022
Does turning your heat on and off cost more?
Is it better than leaving it on steadily?
ANSWER: Turning your heat on and off is not cost effective, since your system will have to work
extra hard for extra-long to get the temperature back up.
Is more heat lost through windows or walls?
So even if the walls are well insulated to an R-value of about 13 to 19 and the windows have poor R-value,
most of the heat escapes through the windows and the purpose of having a well-insulated wall is lost.
Is more heat lost through roof or walls.
Give or take, about 25% of the heat produced by your boiler will escape through the roof of your home.
About 35% of the heat will escape through the walls and through gaps, in and around windows and doors, and about 10% of heat will disappear through the floor.
Is it cheaper to leave heating on low all day?
According to experts at the Energy Saving Trust, the idea it's cheaper to leave the heating on low all day is a myth.
They're clear that having the heating on only when you need it is, overall, the best way to save energy, and therefore money.