Sometimes, when the colder climes kick in, those looking to warm up their homes simply turn up the heat to full. A quick fix solution, sure, but doing so doesn’t take the time to consider what might not be seasonal factors, but rather structural issues which need addressing.
Don’t be that guy; doing so could waste money, energy, and worst of all, do a damage to the environment which could easily be avoided. Fortunately, there are several different tricks and techniques that you can put into practice, ranging from the simple and affordable to the more expensive and time-consuming, which can stop your home losing heat and keep your energy bill low in the coming months. With that in mind, here are 5 methods to prevent heat loss at home this Winter.
Insulate Your Home Properly
The clearest cut, most foolproof way to reduce your home’s energy bills is to insulate your house properly. Sadly, identifying exactly where the heat is being lost isn’t quite so clear cut.
There are several places where your abode can lose its heat, including the floor, windows, doors and roof. If you don’t insulate your home properly, a lot of this energy can end up going to waste, which is detrimental to your bank balance and more importantly, the health of the planet. If your reluctance to strengthen your property’s insulation is due to the cost, then you may even be able to get a grant from the government to cover some of the fees involved.
Loft and cavity wall insulation, in particular, might be covered. Check out the Government approved website advising on such matters, the Simple Energy Advice, where you can enter your postcode to see your eligibility for localised grants.
Pay Attention To Your Windows
As we mentioned, windows and doors lose some serious heat during winter. Double and triple glazing reduces heat loss from the windows – one of the easiest places for heat to leave the property – but you also have to insulate the walls, floors, and roof to get the best value out of your home. Remember, these upgrades may well also add value to your home.
Should double glazing be too expensive a change right now, you could always check out draught-proofing strips, which will cover up cracks in window frames and walls. Sealant or putty can be used to seal up the gaps, too.
Check Out Your Radiators
The first step that you can take to get your radiators working more effectively is to bleed them. Doing so will mean you’re using the heat generated effectively and efficiently.
Essentially, this means getting rid of any trapped air that is preventing them from giving off the maximum amount of heat. When you are spending so much money on heat, it makes sense that your radiators are working to their full potential.
It’s fairly easy to do this; with the heating turned off, simply take a radiator key and open your radiator’s valves (this should be obvious as the item which can be turned with the key usually positioned on the side of the radiator). Then, be prepared to catch the drips that follow, which will slowly turn into a steady stream. Once that stronger stream is present, you’ve released all the air. Tighten back up and move on to the next one.
Install A Radiator Shelf
Another option is to install a radiator shelf, which will direct the heat forwards in the room, rather than allowing it all to simply rise to the ceiling. You can get this item from most of hardware and DIY shops. Another simple step that you can take is to move anything away from your radiators that is causing a blockage, such as larger items of furniture.
Invest In Some Good Quality Curtains
We have already covered how much heat can end up being lost through your windows. Rather than letting this become too much of an issue, investing in some good-quality curtains can make such a big difference in your fight against heat loss. Make sure that you also keep them open at the right time – allowing the sun to stream in when the weather allows for it. Avoid letting your curtains hang over the radiators as this can prevent the heat from warming the whole room.