If you are someone who likes to live economically, the winter months can throw up a few issues for you. As a nation, we tend to use a lot more energy throughout the winter months, simply because we spend more time indoors. When we are kept indoors we often turn to electrical entertainment such as television to keep us (and our children) occupied. Plus, as it gets dark so early during winter, most of us have a lot of lights on anytime we are in the house. But perhaps the most energy consuming and the most expensive thing we do in winter is having the heating on at all times.
It can, of course, be incredibly tempting to crank your thermostat up as high as it will go just to stop everyone from constantly shivering. But as well as damaging the environment, these kinds of measures can also have a profound effect on your heating bill at the end of the year. Not something anyone wants around Christmas! If winter has hit where you are and you’re struggling to be economical, here are some top tips for retaining the heat.
Smart thermostat
The best thing you can do for your home in the winter months is to install a smart thermostat. You might be asking what exactly one of these is – and it is a good idea to do your research on what is the best thermostat for you before you buy. But essentially, smart thermostats are programmable thermostats that can often be controlled by Wi-Fi. You can set your heating via your phone so that when you come home from work, it has already been on for half an hour, meaning there’s no need to excessively crank it up. Many of these thermostats also rely on motion sensors to detect periods of activity in your home, so they learn when you need heating and when you don’t.
Layering up
This is an old-school method that many people (kids especially) will turn their noses up at these days. But if your family are all wandering around the house in shorts and a vest in the middle of December, do you actually expect to keep warm?! Equally, you may find that wrapping yourself in a blanket just doesn’t quite cut it, it terms of keeping you cosy. The best thing to do is for you to wear lots of thinner layers. The heat from your body gets trapped between the layers where it then circulates, thus keeping you warmer.
Check your windows and doors
More heat than you thought can escape your home through your windows and doors – not to mention they can often let icy air inside. Before winter truly hits, make a habit of checking your doors and windows for any gaps or cracks. You might not notice these initially, but they can lead to a serious drop in your household temperature and can mean that your heating is going to waste. If you do notice any gaps, invest in some expanding sealant to fill them ahead of any adverse weather.
