It doesn’t take a genius to realise that it’s cold outside at this time of year. During autumn and winter, the days get shorter, the weather gets worse, and it’s time to think about looking after ourselves and keeping warm.
When you’re outside, the best advice is to wrap up. But what about when you’re struggling to keep your home warm?
This is a contributed post.
INSULATION IS KING
First, let’s consider how to keep costs down and the temperature nice and high.
Insulation is your house’s way of trapping heat. Your home has insulation in the roof, and getting that checked out will make sure your hard earned money doesn’t get wasted on heating everywhere outside of your home.
You should also check the doors and windows, as these can be where drafts enter your home and make it colder, all the while stealing that lovely heat. While a replacement is costly, it can be surprisingly effective.
Another way to improve your home insulation is by investing in heavy carpets and other soft furnishings that trap heat and make your home more cosy.
GET A FIREPLACE
A fireplace is a fantastic way to heat your home, especially if you have a chimney in the centre of the property as it will heat more than one room. There’s nothing as cosy as curling up in front of the fire as a family, especially if you make good use of blankets as well.
When installing a fire, you have the choice of an open fire or a log burner. Both are great options, but a log burner is more efficient and can stay hot for longer. This is especially helpful if you want to cut down the cost of heating your property when it’s cold. Both fires are also very useful if you have a blackout, because you can still heat your home and stay comfortable.
Another benefit of a log burner is that it is contained within a metal stove. So, if you’re experiencing a power cut for a few days, you can still cook using your log burner and a suitable pan.
CHECK YOUR BOILER
In an ideal world, you don’t have to rely on a fireplace to heat your home. While wood and coal are still cheaper than gas and electricity if you use them properly, central heating is the best way to keep the whole house warm.
If your boiler breaks down, you will feel the difference very quickly. As well as interfering with the heating itself, your boiler also heats your water. Unless you have an electrically heated shower, you can expect a lot of cold washes in the morning and some difficulty when trying to wash up or use hot water without a kettle.
So, look into boiler repair as soon as you notice a problem. The sooner it’s fixed, the happier you will be this winter. Regular boiler servicing and maintenance will prevent any major issues. Eventually, your boiler may need to be replaced.
Olivia x
olivialucieblake.com 