A large proportion of a household budget is spent on energy bills. In some areas, this can account for 10% of a family’s income. In the winter months, it can seem like the central heating is on non-stop and is costing you a fortune.
Most homeowners will have done their best to make their homes as energy-efficient as possible. Things such as insulation their homes, fixing any draughty doors, roofing, and windows.
There are always improvements to be made, so here are 5 things you might not have thought of.
Rearrange your furniture
The way you arrange your furniture could be making your home colder. Move any sofas or armchairs away from radiators so that the warm air can circulate throughout your home.
You may miss having your sofa next to a lovely warm radiator but it will make a big difference to your heating bill.
Bleed your radiators
If your heating system has a lot of air trapped inside it, your radiators will feel colder at the top than they do at the bottom. They won’t get as hot as they should, and you’ll find you’re turning up the thermostat just to get the same amount of heat.
Bleed your radiators once every year to remove the air from the system. It’s a simple DIY task that only needs a few tools. You can find some tutorial videos on YouTube, or call someone in to do it for you.
Put fans on your radiators
Also known as flow adapters, these are plastic fittings you attach to the top of your radiator. They help channel the heat from the radiators further into the room, rather than letting it just rise. They are cheap and affordable and can make a huge difference to your room.
There are also low powered fan models that you can use for larger rooms. The fans circulate the warm air around the room, rather than creating hot spots.
Buy thicker drapes
Even with double glazing installed, your windows are still a source of heat loss in your home. Buying lined drapes will stop the heat from escaping and the cold air from getting in too. If your radiators are below your windows, lift the drapes over them so that they don’t stop the heat. It might not be the best look but it will keep you cozy in the evenings.
Good quality drapes are also good for keeping out the heat in sunny weather too.
Turn down your thermostat
Now that you’ve made some additional changes that will make your house a lot warmer, it’s good to try and save some extra money too. Lowering your thermostat by just 1 degree can save up to 3% on your energy bill.
Final thoughts
It’s a fine balancing act to keep the household bills in check while also keeping everyone nice and warm, especially in the winter. By making some simple changes to your home, you can make a huge difference to the comfort of your home.
