Winter is right around the corner, meaning cold weather and a requirement for you to make your home as warm and energy-efficient as you can.
Warming your home over winter can be something of a chore, but a necessary one. If you have a family to look after, they will turn to you for protection during the colder months, something you will have to provide with one eye on rising costs. Energy and heat do not come cheap and with many US states entering some form of restrictions, it is likely you and your family will be at home more. That means rising energy usage and rising costs.
How can you get ahead of the game and protect your home without breaking the bank? We have got some simple hacks that will help you look after your family and your bank balance at the same time.
Soft Furnishings
Traditionally, soft furnishings might not have been an element of home design that the man of the house concerned himself with, but when it comes to winter, they are essential. With darker nights the need for drapes is pressing, and the thicker they are, the better. Windows and doors can let in cool air, which ultimately costs you money and can pose a health risk for your family. Thick drapes help insulate your home, and rugs on hard floors stop the cold coming up from below as well. Think of it as putting a coat on your home, stopping the cold getting into the heart of your family.
Insulation
This one might cost you a few bucks, but the savings in the long term could be significant. Insulation is a huge part of protecting your family home, and you would be wise to check yours is adequate going into the cold months. If you do not have insulation in your loft space, HomeServe believes you could be losing up to a quarter of the heat from your home, so the best place is to start is the roof. Remember, not only is the money going straight out of your pocket and through your roof space, your house will be colder and less pleasant for your family if it is not insulated adequately.
Service Your HVAC
Many homes will be heated by a warm air system, rather than the older radiator and boiler system, so make sure yours is winter-ready and efficient as it can be. This could have health benefits for your family too, as we explored in our article Is Your HVAC Unit Making Your Home Dirtier? Even if you are on the older boiler system, it is still important to give it a service, just to make sure you are being as efficient, and thus cost-effective, as possible.
Reverse Your Ceiling Fan
Ceiling fans are great for the summer as they suck warm air upwards and away from your family. In the winter, you might think they are redundant, but that is not the case. If you reverse them to go clockwise, it will push the warm air back down, into the room. Good Housekeeping suggests that you could save up to 10% on your bills using this method, and it helps keep your home comfortable and warm for your family. Home Depot should have fans that you can reverse if yours does not have the function.
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