Tips For Keeping Your House Warm in the Winter
We all want to be warm and comfortable in our homes during even the coldest of winters. It makes such a difference having a cosy retreat from whatever’s going on outdoors (which we can do nothing about), but we don’t necessarily want to have to keep our heating turned up to the maximum 24 hours a day.
Thankfully, there are a number of things you can do that will boost the warmth in your home without increasing your fuel bills at the same time.
In this article, we’re going to provide a few simple solutions to keeping your house warm in winter.
Draught-proof your doors and windows
While some level of ventilation is needed to prevent condensation, draughts can account for a serious loss of heat in your home. In most homes, those draughts will be coming through your doors and windows, so draught-proofing them is likely to represent a decent saving. You can get kits that are relatively easy to install from most DIY stores, or alternatively you could pay a professional to do the job for you. The latter will cost more initially but should lead to greater savings in the long run, as they will be able to access the best materials while also using their experience to determine the most effective locations to do a more efficient job.
Check your loft insulation
We all know that heat rises, and it’s alarming just how much money you’ll be wasting if you don’t have sufficient loft insulation. The recommended depth is 270mm, and according to the Energy Saving Trust’s latest figures, having just 120mm will mean you’ll see £25 worth of heating a year disappear through your ceilings. Having none at all will mean £250 worth of heating being wasted.
Use rugs
Putting a few rugs down can not only keep your feet warm in winter as you move around the house, but it can also help keep your house warm! Wooden floorboards, while undoubtedly a nice design feature, can give warm air an escape route, especially if they’re old with plenty of gaps. Meanwhile, tiled floors are known for getting particularly chilly in winter and that cold can impact the overall ambient temperature – just cover a large area of your tiled flooring with a nice rug and you’ll soon notice the difference!
Use thermal curtains
Even with properly installed draught-proofing, you could still be losing a considerable amount of heat through your windows. Standard curtains can stop a lot of warmth from escaping when closed, but thermal curtains give you even better insulation. Alternatively, blackout blinds – designed to keep light out – are made of thicker material than standard blinds and also offer improved levels of insulation to your windows.
Eliminate draughts from your chimney
When you don’t have a fire lit, you may well be getting draughts down the chimney. There are several ways you can deal with that, which could include using a draft stopper or chimney balloon when you’re not using it. It’s also worth checking your hearth and damper in case they are the source of the problem.
Use modern solid fuels
If you do have a solid fuel fire – whether it’s your main source of heat or just to provide a boost on especially cold nights – you’ll get far more effective results if you choose the right fuel. Modern heat logs and briquettes don’t just provide more heat than traditional house coal, but they also burn for longer. That means that you’ll be able to count on fuels that are heating your home more effectively – and even better, doing it without pumping out nearly as many greenhouse gases.
Smokeless coal and winter fuel
Here at KG Smith & Son, we’re one of the UK’s leading suppliers of home and winter fuel to customers across the country. With over 75 years of industry experience to call on, we know a bit about the best way to heat homes and which of the different fuels available are best for different appliances and stoves.
Find out more about our smokeless coals and smokeless fuel packages by getting in touch with our friendly team. Alternatively, if you know what you want, you can order your fuel online now.