November, 2022
The cost-of-living crisis has left many families worried about putting their central heating on at the risk of incurring extortionate charges with their suppliers.
Here are some tips on what you can do to keep the heat in your house without having to have your heating on full blast:
Heat from the sun is free so make the most of it. Open your curtains and let the sunlight in during the day to make use of this free heat. When it gets dark, shut your curtains, which act as another layer of insulation and keep warmth in your rooms. You should also make sure you don’t have any leaks or gaps so that the warm air can stay in and the cold air stays out – this also helps to reduce condensation.
Programming your boiler to turn the heating on a little earlier – such as 30 minutes before you get up in the morning – but at a lower temperature is cheaper than turning it on just as you need it at a higher temperature. This is because a boiler heats up at a constant speed whether you set your thermostat to 20°C or 30°C. But don’t make the mistake of leaving your heating on low all day – because then you’re just paying for heat when you don’t need it.
It might feel great to have your favourite seat in front of the radiator, but it’s absorbing heat that could be warming your home. By moving it away from the radiator, hot air can circulate freely. The same goes for your curtains or drying clothes – keep them away from the radiator so that you can get the most out of your heat source.
Even a simple solution such as a making your own sausage dog draught excluder will help keep the warmth in your home. Self-adhesive rubber seals around doors and windows and door draught excluders are relatively cheap and easy to install. So, it’s worth getting those doors and windows sealed before winter properly kicks in.
Radiator panels are relatively cheap, easy to install, and ensure that heat from your radiators warms up your room and not your walls. They work by reflecting the heat back into the room.
You want to feel warm and cosy in your home during the wintertime but with the cost of living increasing, it is better to invest in a comfy onesie or some fleece blankets that you can curl up under on the cold dark evenings.
Drinking warm drinks will help bring your core temperature up which will keep you warm during the cold months. If you are not a tea or coffee drinker, thinking about other drinks you could have warmed up, warm squash or hot lemon water.
Public Health England recommend a temperature of 18°C in your living areas. Research shows that turning your thermostat down by 1°C could cut your heating bill by up to 10%. So, keep the dial at 18°C, save money and avoid the negative impacts of a cold home.
