Top tips for keeping toasty this winter

With the nights drawing in and the temperatures dropping, it’s time to start thinking about how to stay toasty and warm this winter. Whatever type of system you have in your home, there are always plenty of things you can do to get the most for your home heating budget, from simple steps to dramatic measures. Here are a few ideas to help bring down those bills.

KNOW YOUR HEATING SYSTEM

It may sound silly, but many people don’t know how to fully operate their heating system, including how to change their thermostat. This is a big deal when you consider turning your thermostat down by just one degree can save you up to £75 a year. It’s also important to know how your home responds to your heating. For example, your home will take about 30 minutes to cool down, or longer in a well-insulated property, so consider turning the heating off half an hour before you go to bed.

INSULATE, INSULATE, INSULATE

Speaking of well-insulated properties, proper insulation is key to keeping cosy. There are many ways to make sure your home is well insulated. Firstly, make sure your attic is well sealed. A quarter of our home’s heat is lost through the roof as warm air rises, and older properties that already have insulation in place may not have the recommended levels.

Also look at better insulating your windows, walls, and water pipes. If you have single glazing think about investing in double or even triple glazed windows instead. As for the walls, there are government grants available to help you cover those costs. You can also insulate gaps between the floor and skirting boards.

SIMPLE SOLUTIONS

You don’t have to hire a team of specialised insulators to make sure your home is well sealed, there are simple things you can do youself too. Fitting extra curtains, for example. Put a curtain across any single glazed external doors to keep more heat.

You can also insulate your door furniture. Fit covers for your letter boxes and keyholes. You’d be surprised how much heat can be lost! Finally, fit a chimney balloon. If you have an open fireplace and it’s not being used, consider placing a chimney balloon in it.

MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR RADIATORS

Fitting radiator reflector panels can have an instant impact. You can lose heat if a radiator is on an external wall, especially if it isn’t insulated. Reflector panels help to reflect that heat back into the room. You can buy them from hardware shops, fit them yourself and you don’t need to remove the radiator.

Also, fit a radiator booster.  This sits on top of a radiator and sucks up most heat from behind it. It uses a small electrical fan to circulate the warm air round the room so you should be able to turn down your thermostat.