Don’t put up with the chill this winter; make your home a cosy haven. Here’s five simple ways you can keep the warmth in and the cold out of your home. As well as making your home more comfortable, you’ll also use less energy, saving money too.
Stop draughts
Cold draughts can get in through the smallest gaps, like those around a window or door. The solution is inexpensive self-adhesive weather stripping. You stick it to the part of the frame that the window or door closes against and when closed, they press against the rubber of the weather strip, closing off the gap. It comes in rolls so you just cut it to suit the length you need.
Seal the door
When it comes to the large gap underneath external doors, an old-fashioned door snake is a good start – as long as it’s put back in place after the door has been opened. An automatic door seal is a better option. The seal automatically lifts up when the door is opened to clear the floor, then drops back down when the door is closed, sealing the gap. They sit on the front of the door and can be cut to suit any door width.
Cover the windows
Glass is a very poor insulator so exposed windows are like highways for the heat to leave your home. Provide a barrier to that heat by installing window coverings over your exposed glass. Curtains are the best option as they completely cover the window, leaving less glass exposed. If blinds are more your style, honeycomb or Roman blinds are more solid than other types and provide more of a barrier between the warm air and the glass.
Rug up with insulation
Insulation is one of the most cost effective ways of keeping your home warm this winter. Installed in your ceiling, it’s like putting a blanket over your home. Insulation can also help if your house has a timber-framed floor. In this case it’s like putting on a pair of socks because the insulation prevents the coolness from the ground penetrating into your home.
Let in the light!
The sun is nature’s version of a heater so letting it’s rays into your home will bring the warmth with it too. Open up the blinds on northern and western windows to let in the light. If there’s any trees or shrubs blocking the windows, prune them back so the sun can shine through. If the sun falls onto bricks and concrete, it’s even better. These materials store the warmth absorbed during the day them radiate them back into the house at night.
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