Now that winter has officially arrived, it’s time to rug up and hunker down. If you’ve already completed all of your winter home maintenance tasks, now’s the time to put your feet up and relax. But wait a minute, where’s that draught coming from? And why is the room so cold? Before you settle in for the season, check out our list of easy ways to keep your home warm and toasty this winter.
Seal up any gaps
Draughts often come in through windows and doors where the seals are old or missing. It’s best to get these sorted professionally, but an easy short-term fix is to roll out a good old door snake to stop any draughts in their tracks. A roll of draught stop will also work wonders on any timber joinery you have. Don’t forget to seal up any cat flaps or doggy doors too!
Make the most of the sun
It’s not often we feel the warmth of the sun’s rays in winter, but when the day is bright, open your windows and curtains to air out your home and let the warmth in. Just be sure to close them before the sun goes down so that the heat that’s accumulated will be trapped inside your home.
Get the right curtains
Curtains are extremely adept at keeping heat inside your home - if they’re the right shape and size. If you can, opt for thicker, double-layered curtains to keep the heat in and the cold out. Ideally, your curtains should be wider than the window frames, fit tightly against the wall, and touch the floor for maximum results.
Dry clothes outside
This might seem counterintuitive, as cold air and rainy weather don’t make for ideal clothes-drying conditions. The goal here is to remove as much moisture from your home as possible. One load of washing drying inside can release up to five litres of water in your home - not ideal when you’re trying to keep warm! Instead, dry clothes outside in the sun, or under a garage or shelter if it’s raining.
Wrap your hot water cylinder
If you’ve got a hot water cylinder that’s getting a bit ancient, you might want to have it replaced. If that’s not on the cards right now, try using a purpose-built hot water cylinder wrap to help it retain its heat. The thermostat should also be set to reach a temperature of 55°C at the tap to prevent any scalding.
Double glaze your windows
Okay, this one isn’t necessarily an easy fix, but it’s a very effective way to keep the heat in and dramatically reduce condensation. You can purchase window insulator kits that involve fitting a plastic film to the inside of your windows, but double-glazing should be done by the professionals so you don’t damage the glass. If you don’t have a lot of wiggle room in your budget, start with getting the windows double-glazed in one of your most-used rooms.
Hopefully our tips have given you some great ideas for warming up your home, fast. If you want to get some double-glazing sorted, or have your old window frames sealed properly, give us a call! We’ll get you sorted so you can be toasty and warm all winter long.