When the weather outside is frightful, it may take more than a fire to make your interiors delightful. And if you want to lower your energy bills, knowing how to keep your home warm during winter should be top of your list.
The long winter evenings have arrived, along with wind, wet, and possibly snow, so it’s time to make sure your home is well prepared for wintry weather. These simple seasonal switches will help keep your house homely come rain or shine – and let’s be honest, it’s going to be rain.
Looking to lower your energy bills? Cut the cost of electricity and gas energy bills with our energy saving tips – from government benefits to buying a boiler. There’s also lots of advice from organisations such as the Energy Saving Trust.
Wise Living has collected together 10 home insulation tips to help you keep your home cosy during the winter months.
10 home insulation tips on how to keep your home warm during winter
1. Keep curtains closed and the warmth in
Curtains aren’t exactly airtight, but even the loosest layer of fabric can make a remarkable difference when it comes to keeping out the cold. Closing your curtains limits heat loss, and provides an extra barrier against the elements. Your boiler will thank you and therefore, so will your heating bill.
2. Draught-proof doors and windows
For windows that open, use self-adhesive strips to seal up any gaps around the frame, and use a soft, silicone sealant for windows that stay closed. Doors can be given similar treatment, but for floor level openings, it may be simpler to employ an old-fashioned, ‘sausage dog’ draught excluder.
Letterboxes and keyholes are also classic sources of draughts. Plug them respectively with letterbox brushes, and keyhole covers.
3. Install foil behind your radiators
If you have radiators fixed to external walls, slide a layer of tin foil between wall and unit to reflect as much heat as possible back into the room. Pick up special heat reflector aluminium foil to maximise retention, and remember that hanging clothes on a radiator forces it to work twice as hard.
Regular bleeds will ensure your radiator performs optimally. Run your hand over your unit – if it’s cool at the top and warmer towards the bottom, it’s bleeding time.
4. Insulate everything (but mostly your plumbing)
There’s not much you can’t insulate these days, but plumbing should always be your first port of call. Exposed pipes can be snugged up with slip-on foam tubing (available at most hardware stores), while boilers and water tanks can be easily dressed with jackets.
A jacket costs £15-20 and should come with instructions (make sure you’ve measured your unit before you buy), and will slash your winter energy bills by reducing heat loss. According to the Energy Saving Trust, it should pay for itself in about three months.
Wall, floor, and loft insulation are similarly worthy projects, but may require professional installation for all but the most experienced DIY-ers.
Need help with getting to grips with insulation? Lower gas and electricity bills by installing loft insulation – learn about the different loft insulation types, energy savings and fitting advice.
5. Use a thermostat to regulate your heating
Even if you’re a card-carrying technophobe who thinks Alexa is basically Skynet, it’s worth stretching a point for a modern, programmable thermostat. The inbuilt timer will allow you to schedule your home’s heating, so it powers down when you go out, and turns on automatically on your return – a boon for your living room, the environment, and your bank account.
Getting control of your energy bills is an important part of how to keep your home warm during winter. If you’re choosing a smart meter our guide reveals the costs, types, pros and cons of fitting a smart meter.
6. Service your boiler
Picture the scene: You crawl out of bed on a frosty Monday morning, and amble to the bathroom for a shower, only to be deluged by the domestic equivalent of the Ice Bucket Challenge.
You do not want your boiler giving out in early February. Check the pressure (it should be at around one bar), and ideally get your unit serviced every autumn. If you don’t schedule in maintenance for your boiler, your boiler may end up scheduling it in for you.
Broken boiler? Read the Wise Living guide to buying a new boiler so you can choose the right boiler for you.
7. Clean out your gutters
Gutter-clearing is not a glamorous occupation, but fallen leaves and sticks can easily result in a clog, and the ensuing build-up of rainwater can cause damp to seep into your walls. A simple way for how to keep your home warm during winter is to get the ladder out, strap your gloves on, and prepare to get down and dirty. When your gutters are clear enough that water flows unimpeded, you’re good to go.
8. Fill in cracks in walls and skirting boards
To stop wet, wind, and, in some cases, heat-seeking rodents from sneaking into your home uninvited, use foam adhesive and caulk to plug gaps in walls and skirting boards. High quality sealants are easy to peel off if you make a mistake, but once hardened should hold firm for many years.
9. Keep the slush away from your door
When you cross the threshold, you don’t want winter coming with you, and if you don’t have a mudroom, you’re going to have to tackle the weather head-on. A rough-textured doormat will help shed mud and gunk from your shoes, a boot scraper is a must in rural environments, and a plastic boot tray should protect your indoor floor.
10. Pile on the blankets and get snug
At the end of the day, nothing cosies up a long winter evening like traditional home comforts and hygge – a great way to cosy up your home for winter. Pile on the blankets, set a fire going, brew some hot cocoa, and throw on some Dean Martin. Knowing how to keep your home warm during winter means you get to keep toasty and cosy while the winter weather does its worst.
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Stuck for inspiration? Check out our list of best-selling Amazon products!
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Last update on 2024-04-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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