10 quick home hacks to make your home warmer
- 20 January 2020
- Guides
January and February are the coldest months in the UK. As the temperatures plummet, we all want our homes to retain as much heat as possible. There are lots of ways to improve your home’s heat retention. From the temporary to the more permanent (and usually more effective), here are 10 solutions to help you enjoy a warmer home this Winter.
1. Install a thermostat on your central heating system
Public Health England recommends that homes should be kept at a minimum temperature of 18°C. By installing a room thermostat, you can easily regulate the temperature of your home and use your boiler more efficiently.
2. Make sure your home is well-insulated (loft/cavity wall)
Approximately 25% of a home’s heat is lost through the roof. A well-insulated loft and if possible, cavity wall insulation can make a huge difference to your property’s heat retention capacity.
3. Use thick curtains (and open them during the day)
Good quality curtains can help to keep out any heat which is lost through your windows once the sunsets. Make sure that you open your curtains during the day, however, to ensure that you maximise the natural heat generated by the sun.
4. Fit thermostatic radiator controls
Fitting radiator valves can help you to make energy savings of up to 40%. They can be set to a medium temperature to avoid overheating your home. Modern thermostatic radiator valves can be programmed remotely to activate your heating at times when you need it.
5. Upgrade your windows and doors
Perhaps the best way to improve your home’s thermal performance is by replacing the windows and doors. At Droylsden Glass, we install modern double-glazed windows which achieve an A+ Window Energy Rating. With a Droylsden window upgrade, you’ll soon see a difference in your home’s warmth and make noticeable savings on your heating bills.
6. Block any draughts
Sealing any draughty areas around your home is an important but often overlooked way to retain heat. Draught excluders at the bottom of interior doors, sealing any cracks in floorboards and fitting rubber seals around your doors and windows are all easy ways to temporarily draught proof your home.
7. Reflect heat from your radiators
Radiators are often used inefficiently. Because of their mounted position on a wall, half of the generated heat is being used to make the wall warmer and not being dispersed around your home. Reflective radiator panels fitted between your radiator and the wall can help to reflect the heat back into your home for maximum effect.
8. Wear warmer clothes
It may sound like common sense, but it’s Winter, it’s supposed to be cold! Put away your Summer wardrobe and embrace the woolly jumper, thermal leggings and even wear a bobble hat around the house. You’ll feel warmer when it’s not really cold enough to use your heating.
9. Use the heat from the kitchen
The kitchen is the most used room in the house. Every day, we make meals, using the oven and hob to cook our food. A massive amount of heat is generated in the kitchen, heat which can be used to warm up the rest of your home. After using the oven, leave the door open ajar to allow the heat to disperse around your home.
10. Use the sun’s natural heat
As mentioned above, keeping your curtains open on a sunny day will allow the sun’s rays to penetrate through your windows and heat your home. Installing solar control glass can maximise solar efficiency and you could even consider installing solar panels on your roof to generate your home’s electricity in a more eco-friendly way.
11. What is the cheapest most efficient way to heat a home?
The most cost effective and efficient way to heat your home is to only use the central heating when you need it and control that with a timer and thermostat. This is true for both electric heating and other forms of heating.
This in combination with the steps above will keep you warm and save you money in the long run.
12. How to make a room warmer without a heater
To keep a cold room warm without having to turn on the electricity or central heating, make sure your windows and doors are closed properly. Lots of heat can escape from a room with windows and doors that are not insulted or broken. If this is the case it is best to look at replacing them to save money on heating in the future.
13. How to heat your house up fast
To heat your house up super fast you will want to use an electric fan heater but this will be expensive. If it is cold when you come home and the heat seems to be leaving the house quickly, check your windows and doors. If you can feel a draft it may be time to replace them. Windows and doors are critical to keeping a house warm and making energy bills cheaper.
14. How you can heat your house naturally
To heat your home naturally you will need to harness the power of the sun and keep the warmth that has built up in the house.
- Make sure your windows and doors are as energy efficient as possible. Having good windows let the sunlight and warmth in during the day and locks it in at night.
- Use thick curtains and draw them when the sun goes down to help lock in the warmth
- Keep curtains and blinds open during the day to make the most of the natural heat of the sun
- Use carpets if you have a solid flooring surface like a wood floor, this will help to retain the heat
If you live in a property that’s prone to feeling too cold and struggles to retain its heat, it could be time for a window upgrade. If you’ve noticed condensation on the inside of your windows or you’ve experienced any draughts or cold spots on your windowpanes or frames, these are all signs that your windows are beginning to fail.
Installing new windows and doors is an excellent investment. It will benefit you in many ways: a warmer home, better security, increased property value and a more attractive appearance, to name just a few. If you’d like to find out more about replacement windows and doors from Droylsden Glass, contact us today. Get in touch and give us all on 0161 292 1122 or send us a message online for a free and bespoke quote!
