I work for British Gas and here's 10 ways to keep your home warm this winter – close your curtains for starters
10/09/2024 02:20 AM
WITH the weather turning chilly, if you're wondering how to keep your home warm this winter, you've come to the right place.
There's nothing worse than feeling freezing and not being able to warm up, and if you're looking to save cash on your heating bills, then we've got just what you need.
Experts at British Gas have shared their advice to ensure that your home is super cosy this winter, without breaking the bank.
According to the pros, it's important that you heat your home and not your walls, and bleed your radiators if you want them to work cost-efficiently.
Not only this, but they also stressed why it's important that you close your curtains and draught-proof your home where possible.
So if you're on a mission to battle the chill this season, here's the top ten tips you need to know.
Heat your home, not your walls
According to the experts at British Gas, using tin foil could make your home that bit warmer.
They advised: "Cover a thin sheet of card with tinfoil and place it behind your radiators.
"It’ll reflect the heat back into your rooms, meaning they warm up faster and retain more heat."
Pop on pipe-lagging
Not only this, but they also swore by pipe lagging, which involves insulating hot water pipes with foam tubes.
Doing so keeps the water inside your pipes hotter for longer and prevents pipes freezing.
The experts explained: "It also makes your heating and hot water much more efficient. You can buy pipe lagging from any DIY store and fit it in seconds, no tools required."
Draught-proof your home
In addition to this, the pros shared why getting a draught excluder should be on your to-do-list.
They recommended: "Filling in the gaps around windows and doors can help you save on your heating bills, so spending a few pounds on a window draught excluder – and insulating tape – is a great investment.
"Fitting it is a breeze too, just make sure it sits snugly."
Bleed your radiators
Not only will you need to nip to the shops, but you'll also have to check your radiators are heating to the top too.
If they aren’t, the chances are, you will need to learn how to bleed a radiator, which simply means releasing the trapped air stuck at the top, which is stopping hot water from rising.
You can buy a radiator bleed key from around £1 in any DIY shop to open the little valve at the top.
Once you've done this, you’ll hear air hiss and as soon as you see a drip of water, you can close it up again.
Get your boiler serviced
If you haven't had your boiler serviced, then you'll need to get that booked in as soon as possible.
How to dry wet washing inside, in winter
Drying rack or airer
Load up your airer with wet washing and place near a heat source – like a radiator or direct sunlight – to help distribute air around your clothes.
Dehumidifier
Plug in a dehumidifier in a room with clothes hanging to dry quickly and prevent dampness and mould. Many now have a laundry setting.
Tumble dryer
A tumble dryer can heat moisture out of wet washing, saving time and can be used in any weather.
Heated airer
Many brands and shops now sell heated airers for as little as £30. The racks heat through electricity and can speed up drying time.
Open a window
Choose a spare room or unused room for keeping your washing and crack open a window, but close the door behind you.
Using curtain poles
Hang wet washing on radiators then hook them onto curtain poles with radiators below. The heat will rise and dry the items. Alternatively, if you have a shower curtain pole, hang your clothes in the bathroom with a window open.
If you want your home to be warm, it's important that you give your boiler an annual service.
Doing so will mean it will last longer and work more efficiently – and if you don’t, it could end up costing you cash.
Close the curtains
It turns out that a super simple way to keep your home warm is to close your curtains.
The pros suggested: "If you’ve got curtains, close them before darkness hits or while you’re out of the house and keep that lovely heat where it should be – inside."
Even better, you can also get yourself thermal curtains, which will work to keep the heat inside your home.
Use your oven to heat your home
Once you've dished up dinner, instead of closing the door, it's time to leave it open.
The experts said: "Why waste that heat? Leave the oven door open and let the heat transfer slowly into your kitchen, it’ll help keep your house warm while you eat."
Get personalised energy-efficiency tips
In addition to this, you can also get personalised energy-efficiency tips, which will ensure your home stays warm, without costing you a fortune.
5 ways to keep your house warm in winter
Property expert Joshua Houston shared his tips.
1. Curtains
“Windows are a common place for the outside cold to get into your home, this is because of small gaps that can let in air so always close your curtains as soon as it gets dark,” he said.
This simple method gives you an extra layer of warmth as it can provide a kind of “insulation” between your window and curtain.
2. Rugs
“Your floor is another area of your home where heat can be lost and can make your home feel chilly,” he continued. “You might notice on cold days, that your floor is not nice to walk on due to it freezing your feet.
“Add rugs to areas that don't already have a carpet, this provides a layer of insulation between your bare floor and the room above.”
3. Check your insulation
Check your pipes, loft space, crawlspaces and underneath floorboards.
“Loose-fill insulation is very good for this, and is a more affordable type of insulation, with a big bag being able to be picked up for around £30,” Joshua explained.
4. Keep your internal doors closed
“Household members often gather in one room in the evening, and this is usually either the kitchen or living room,” Joshua said.
“This means you only have to heat a small area of your home, and closing the doors keeps the heat in and the cold out.”
5. Block drafts
Don’t forget to check cat flaps, chimneys and letterboxes, as they can let in cold air if they aren’t secure.
You can use tools such as Home Health Check – a personalised plan to help cut your home's carbon footprint – and your energy bills.
Thanks to a detailed assessment from an expert, you'll be given tips on how to improve the energy efficiency of your home, as well as a detailed report of recommendations.
Be creative with your insulation
As well as a draught excluder, you'll also need to ensure that your home is insulated correctly too.
You can use spray foam insulation to fill any cracks and gaps in your walls and if you really want to take things up a level, you can ensure your loft and cavity walls are insulated correctly too, which will stop all of that lovely warmth from escaping.
Know your ideal temperature
Finally, it's important that you know the ideal temperature of your home.
It might sound simple, but rather than turning the thermostat all the way up when it’s freezing cold, aim to set your main room thermostat somewhere between 18°C and 21°C.
It’s also a good idea to set your thermostat to one temperature and then use a timer to turn it on and off when you need the heating most.
That way you won’t waste excess energy from leaving the heating on too high, for too long.
