With rising gas prices and the environmental impact of fossil fuels, we need to find ways to reduce energy consumption whilst keeping homes warm. Although home insulation and eco-friendly heating systems are great solutions, not everyone has the budget for big changes. So let’s take a look at some budget-friendly tips to help heat your home this winter.
1. Boost radiator efficiency
You can boost the efficiency of your central heating with a few simple tricks.
If you notice cold spots in your radiators, or find that the top feels colder than the bottom, you’re probably dealing with air pockets. These pockets stop warm water circulating properly, and the unit takes longer to heat up. It’s a good idea to bleed radiators at least once a year to get rid of air pockets and maximise warmth.
You should also think about furniture placement. When radiators are blocked by beds, sofas, and long curtains, it’s difficult for hot air to circulate around the room. By moving furniture away from the radiator, you let the hot air circulate freely. This heats your home more efficiently, allowing you to reduce heating times and energy bills!
2. Use heating controls
Heating controls help you to manage the way your home is heated. In general, it’s a good idea to use timers to control your heating and hot water, so that you don’t accidentally leave them on when they’re not needed.
The thermostat controls the boiler so that when the room reaches the specified temperature, the boiler switches off until the room temperature drops. In the UK, the Energy Saving Trust advises that you set your thermostat to the lowest comfortable temperature, with an ideal range of around 18-21°C. If your thermostat is set to the higher end of this range, you might consider turning it down a degree; it may not make much difference to the way your home feels, but it will save you money on your next bill.
You can also use thermostatic radiator valves to control the temperature of individual radiators. Turning radiators off permanently can lead to damp and mould, but you can leave them on low in rooms that aren’t in use. Heating controls can really help you to reduce unnecessary energy consumption and costs!
3. Block gaps and drafts
To keep your home warm, you need to identify the areas where heat escapes and cold air enters. Gaps under doors can be easily remedied by door sweeps or simple fabric draft excluders. And take care to close doors properly, to stop the warmth escaping!
If you suffer from drafty windows, it might be worth investing in a window insulation kit. Plastic sheets are applied to the window so that gaps in the framework are sealed, and an insulating layer of air is trapped between the window and the plastic. They are inexpensive, and can be a great way to lock in warmth.
4. Use curtains
When you forget to open curtains, you miss out on the natural heat of the sun. So make sure to keep curtains open during the day to let the sunlight warm your room. And remember to close them at night, to prevent heat escaping.
You can also attach thermal blackout linings to your curtains. They are designed to reduce heat loss and can make a noticeable difference to room temperature at night.
5. Cosy up
Be honest: how often do you sit in lightweight clothing, with the central heating on full? Wearing warm layers, and snuggling down with a cosy throw or hot water bottle can help you keep warm without turning up the heating.
6. Get advice if you need it
These tips are intended to help you reduce fuel consumption and energy bills, whilst also keeping your home warm – but they may not be sufficient if you are experiencing fuel poverty. Fuel poverty is when a household spends a high proportion of their income to keep their home at a reasonable temperature, and often means that people are forced to choose between heating and eating. If you are in the UK and experiencing fuel poverty, you can visit National Energy Action for support and advice.
Author Bio
Sandra Bishop is a Newcastle-based freelance writer, specialising in blogs, informational articles, and creative nonfiction. You can learn more about Sandra here.
Photo by Rafael Leão on Unsplash.
