When the temperatures drop, the first thing many people will do is to turn up the heating, which will usually lead to an increase in heating bills for winter. Here are some ways to warm up your home without necessarily using more energy.
Use the hygge approach to interior design
Sometimes, a house can feel colder because of the interior design rather than the actual temperature. A house that looks warmer – with the right choice of colors and complemented by soft furnishings – will feel a lot warmer than a bare, spacious room featuring cold colors. Hygge is the Danish lifestyle trend that is currently becoming very popular: It is centered around creating a cozy and comfy environment.
Creating a cozier space by making use of fluffy rugs, warm colors on walls like red, orange, and yellow can make you think that you are in a warm space. Having a warm ambiance in your home can prevent you from feeling the need to turn up the heating.
Keep the heat in
Heat will try to escape using the easiest exit, so make sure to check for any gaps around doors and windows. Also, note that thick curtains, draught excluders, and similar items can stop the heat from escaping rooms. Around 25% of heat escapes through the roof of homes, which means that either paying for someone to install insulation or finding a DIY way to insulate your ceiling or roof will help to prevent that heat from leaving the living space.
Remember: If you opt for a DIY approach to insulation, beware of flammable materials. To stay on the safe side, hiring a professional handyman can be the best solution. When doing do, make sure to look out for the right and cheapest handyman insurance to guarantee both parties’ protection, should something unexpected occur. Such assistance can be the easiest option when you are not keen on DIY. In the meantime, keeping doors closed in the main rooms that you are using and only heating those up will help you to keep the heat in. There is no need to heat up areas of the home that are not being used.
Upgrade your heating controls/install a smart meter
One of the best ways to reduce your heating bills is to have a more efficient way of controlling your system. For example, installing thermostatic radiator valves can help to ensure rooms are set at the required temperature, instead of potentially overheating or underheating.
Having a smart meter installed will also give you a better idea of how much energy you are using each day. It allows you to set a timer that will ensure your heating comes on at the required time: for instance, just before you get up in the morning, so you do not need to put the heating on for longer than necessary. Having your boiler serviced can help to ensure that the system is working efficiently.
If you want to get your home ready for winter and all set up for some cozy nights, then these tips should get you started.
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