With winter drawing steadily nearer in the northern hemisphere, we can already feel the nights getting longer and chillier. Of course, there’s a lot to love about this season, from soul-warming mugs of hot cocoa and enchanting snowfall to snuggly knitted jumpers and roaring log fires. At the same time, it’s important to make sure that your house is well heated as the temperatures start to drop. Luckily, there are plenty of steps we can take to ensure that our homes are cozy for the winter. Here are some of top suggestions.
1. Address any draft
issues
The first step to take is to deal with any problems you have with drafts. If you have warm air escaping or cold air creeping into your home, you’ll find yourself saddled with huge energy bills that you’re not seeing the benefit from. Some of the key areas to consider when checking for drafts are doors, windows, vents, and wiring holes. Once you’ve located them, you can then take measures to close them up. Some simple options include adhesive strips to seal gaps around window frames, keyhole and letterbox covers, and draft excluders that sit at the bottom of the doors. These are most useful for doors that lead directly outside, or to parts of the house that you don’t keep heated.
2. Upgrade your
insulation
To truly make your home energy efficient, you’ll need a good level of insulation. Much like solar panels from Custom Solar and Leisure, installing insulation is certainly an upfront investment. However, in the long run these investments will save you large amounts of money, as well as reducing your carbon footprint.
Furthermore, insulation can also boost the value of your home, which is a real bonus when the time comes to move. Attic insulation is one particularly beneficial option to consider, because heat rises and therefore the roof can be one of the most common places for a house to lose warmth. Wall insulation can also make a big difference, as well as basement insulation if you have one.
3. Decorate for warmth
You might be surprised to learn that the way you decorate your home can make a big difference to how cozy it feels—and not just in terms of your color choices. For instance, putting large items of furniture such as a sofa or armchair in front of a radiator can waste energy by preventing the heat it generates from circulating in a room. On the other hand, putting floating shelves above a radiator can deflect the heat back into a room and stop it being lost by rising up to the ceiling. More obvious examples include putting a fluffy rug on top of a hardwood floor, and hanging thick curtains to prevent heat loss through the windows. You can also add candles for both warmth and atmosphere, and putting soft throws and blankets on the couch to snuggle up under as you read or watch TV means you don’t have to spend a lot of money to feel cozy!