As winter approaches using more energy to heat your home is an inevitability. That’s why it’s important to consider how efficient your home is at keeping heat in so you can keep energy costs low. Here are some effective strategies to keep your property warm but keep energy costs down this winter.
- Invest in an energy-efficient property: If moving home is on the cards for you this year, you can rest assured your energy bills won't be too costly with a new build property. New build properties are fitted with new heating systems that are more energy efficient. That means the cost of heating your home is reduced, saving you money in the long-term.
- Layer up: It’s simple but effective. Instead of turning up the heat and consuming more energy, consider wearing more layers of clothing. Insulating yourself with clothes is much cheaper than letting your heating run 24/7. Plus, it’s a good excuse to get a new cosy Christmas jumper.
- Insulate your home: Insulating your home is as important as insulating yourself when trying to keep your property warm at winter. The loft, walls, and floors are critical areas of the home that benefit greatly from being insulated, reducing the amount of heat escaping your property. Don’t forget to insulate your hot water cylinder if you have one too – at least to a thickness of 75mm.
- The costs of insulating your property will vary depending on your property’s size, but it is an effective solution that will reduce your heating bill significantly in the long-term.
- New build properties are built with higher levels of insulation, so it'd be advantageous to capitalise on the part exchange and shared ownership schemes available so you can invest in a new home that's been built to be energy efficient.
- Bleed your radiator: Sometimes cold air gets trapped inside radiators, preventing it from filling with hot water and hence heating up. That’s what happens when the top of your radiator is colder than the bottom. You can simply bleed your radiator to release the trapped air and allow the hot water to flow inside properly.
- Use draft excluders: If you want a quick and cheap solution to keeping cold air out and hot air in, draft excluders are an easy solution. They can be found in most hardware shops and will hot air in and cold air out of your home through gaps in doors and windows.
- Double glazing: Double-glazed windows have two layers of glass with a gap in between, which creates an insulating layer that reduces how much heat escapes from and cold air enters your property. Double glazing is available for all kinds of windows, so you should consider it as a serious long-term energy cost saver.
- Check the boiler: An inefficient boiler will significantly affect your heating bill, so it’s very important you maintain your boiler by getting it serviced regularly, usually once a year and ideally during summer. Check your thermostats too as, even if your heating schedule is optimum, an old thermostat can sometimes lead to delays in the property heating up or being overheated and wasting energy.
The government’s advice page is regularly updated and will provide even more information on how to keep yourself and your property warm this winter. If you’re considering making your next move next year, or are just curious what your options may be, contact your local branch today to speak with your local experts today.
Reeds Rains E-marketing Executive
