8 Tips to keep your home warm this winter

Hands up if you’ve been holding off from putting the heating on? It’s that time of year when you just can’t wait any longer. Typically, in Britain, we give in and switch on our heating in October, and leave it on until March or April. Whilst central heating is a bill we just can’t hide from, there are several ways in which you can help to keep your home warm during the winter.

1. Use your curtains effectively

This may seem like an obvious tip, but opening your curtains allows daylight to warm up each room during the day and closing them helps to keep the heat in during the night. Heat from the sun is free, so make the most of it, even during the winter.

2. Heat your home, not your walls

By placing a thin sheet of card covered in foil behind your radiator you can reflect the heat back into the room rather than warm up the walls. You can choose to make these foil insulation sheets yourself, or, if you’re not into DIY, you can buy them ready-made.

3. Deal with any draughts

You will be able to feel any draughts in your home from doorways to windows, but there are simple solutions to blocking them up yourself. You can buy draught excluders for underneath your doors, as well as install self-adhesive rubber seals around your windows. While you’re at it, don’t forget to check your attic hatch and letterbox.

4. Bleed your radiators

For around £1 you can buy a radiator bleed key to release any trapped air from within your radiator ensuring that they are working to their full potential. When was the last time you checked your radiators?

5. Insulate your attic

Did you know that 25% of your heating is lost through the roof? You can reduce this by installing insulation throughout your attic.

6. Use your heating wisely

By using your central heating effectively you can save money on your bill. Don’t believe the myth that leaving your heating on low all day is cost-effective - it’s not. Instead, use your timer to turn the heating on at a slightly lower temperature just before you’re due to wake up.

7. Set your thermostat

Research shows that turning your thermostat down by just one degree can save up to 10% on your heating bill. You should aim to set your room temperature to between 18 and 21 degrees.

8. Protect your pipes

Using foam tubes to cover your hot water pipes will keep them hotter for longer, as well as protect them from the cold. Frozen pipes can cause serious and costly problems, and could leave you without heating or hot water when you really need it.Keeping you and your family warm accounts for over 70% of household energy consumption, as well as being an expensive monthly bill. We hope we have inspired you to keep your home warm this winter and saved you some money in the process!If you have a property to sell or let, contact our team on 01633 870777 to book your free market appraisal.