Wintertime can present unique challenges to the modern homeowner. When the cold weather rolls around, we need to keep the interior warm without spending a packet in the process. If you’re working from home, it can be an especially expensive time of year. But even if you aren’t, you might find that your bills are higher than they otherwise might be.
Let’s take a look at some of the strategies you might employ to keep your home warm, even when the weather outside is frightful.
Should I keep the heating on all day?
There’s a common myth that it works out cheaper to keep your heating on constantly since variations in temperature add up costing more in the long run. There’s no scientific basis for this belief; generate heat when you need it.
Turn the thermostat down
If you insist on having your thermostat at a higher temperature, then you’re going to end up spending a great deal more. If you go from 20°C to 18°C, then you’ll likely end up saving a substantial amount.
Replacing older items
Older pieces of heating equipment can introduce inefficiencies that will be more costly in the long run. Plus, if you wait for them to break down completely, then you’ll face the added cost and hassle of a heating system that doesn’t work during winter.
Replacing older boilers with more efficient newer ones can be worthwhile in the long run. You might also swap out older radiators for more modern replacements.
Draw your curtains
A set of heavy curtains will slow the exchange of warm air from the room to the window. This in turn will reduce the rate at which heat is conducted to the outside of the building. For this reason, it’s critical that you draw your curtains at night-time.
Invest in double-glazing
If your existing double-glazing is starting to get pockets of water between the panels, it might be a sign that a replacement panel is needed. Modern double-glazing works by sandwiching a layer of inert gas between two glass panels, thereby improving insulation. In this sense, it works a lot like a thermos flask, but for your home.
Insulate the loft
If your loft isn’t insulated, you could save an enormous amount by correcting that. But even if your loft is insulated, you might find that there’s money to be saved by topping up.
