Home and Garden

When winter comes, many people start thinking about making their homes warmer. After all, not only is that essential to keeping you comfortable during the colder months, but it can also save you money on energy and heating bills. Inspecting your heating system before the cold months arrive, getting a thermostat with a timer, maximizing your insulation, blocking out the draughts, and keeping your curtains closed - these are only a few of the simple yet effective things you can do to keep your home warm. Read on to learn more about them, and stay comfortable inside regardless of the weather outside. Inspect Your Heating Systems Before the winter season starts, it’s a good idea to inspect your heating systems. Make sure that your boiler is in top condition and that all the radiators are working properly. Give your heating system a test run and check that there aren’t any leaks. This way, you’ll solve any potential problems before you really need to use your heating system. You’ll avoid placing an order with a professional when they are likely to be overbooked and you won’t be left in the cold. Invest in a Smart Thermostat or a Thermostat With a Timer If your thermostat is not set to the right temperature, then it can cause even more heat leakage than a faulty boiler or radiator. So, the first thing you should do is to set the thermostat correctly. And if you want to make sure that your home will be warmed properly from the moment you wake up till when you go to sleep, get a thermostat with a timer. That way, you’ll be able to manage your heating according to your schedule. Whether you work at night or during the day, you’ll be cosy all day long. Recently, great strides have been made in thermostat technology. Now, there are thermostats on the market that can be controlled remotely or thermostats with built-in AI. Check out this article on some of the best smart thermostats on the market. I have an Eco-Bee thermostat in my home and I love that I can see and adjust the temperature of my home from my phone. This is great on a cold morning when I do not want to get out of bed or when I am out of the house but my schedule changes from what is programmed. Maximize Your Insulation In order to keep your home warm, you may need to use a heating system, such as radiators or similar equipment. It is then important that you make sure that the heat generated is lost. And the best way to do that is by maximizing your insulation. The easiest way to do that is by getting new windows - they are well worth the investment, as they will help you save money on heating for years. But if you don’t want to spend money on new windows, you can still improve your insulation by using weather-stripping and insulating materials (in particular, high-density or reflective insulation). Check out this article from energy.gov on the different types of insulating materials and their pros and cons. If you do not have the budget for insulating your home better you can still make a huge difference with basic winterizing your home tricks like thermal curtains. Block Out the Draughts in Your House Most people don’t realise it, but even a small leak in a window can have a huge impact on how warm your place is during the winter. So, next time you’re at home, take a look around your windows and doors and feel for any breach that may be hidden from sight. If you notice any leaks, try to block them using insulation, weather-stripping or weather-seals. This is generally not that difficult to do, especially if you are a DIYer. Check out this article on how to weather-strip windows and doors and on what materials work best for certain conditions. Keep Your Curtains Closed While we’re talking about draughts, let’s talk about curtains too. If you don’t want to waste energy on heating, then keep your curtains closed. This might seem like a no-brainer, but many people leave their curtains open during winter - which means that they are basically letting heat escape from their homes. Close your curtains whenever you’re not at home - not only will that help you keep your home warm during winter, but that will also help you save on heating costs! For the best results opt for thermal curtains. Buy the Right Products for Your Home Keeping your home warm isn’t only about turning the thermostat up. There are other products and tools you should consider using. Here are a few examples: Insulating drapes Pipe insulation Draft blockers Electric blankets Space heaters Don’t wait for winter to come before you do something about how ill-equipped your home may be. Take a few simple steps to prepare for the cold months ahead of time. Make sure your heating system is running properly and check your windows for any leaks. Winter shouldn’t catch you off guard. You should be prepared for its arrival. And with a little forethought, that’s not all that hard to do. Reverse Your Ceiling Fans Reversing a ceiling fan involves changing the direction in which the fan blades spin. This is typically done using a switch located on the fan itself or on the fan's remote control. Here's how it works: Summer Mode (Counter-Clockwise): In warmer months, you want the fan to create a breeze that helps cool the room by creating a wind-chill effect. To achieve this, the fan should operate in a counter-clockwise direction (when you're looking up at it). This mode pushes air downward, creating a breeze that helps evaporate moisture on your skin, making you feel cooler. Winter Mode (Clockwise): In colder months, you want to redistribute warm air that naturally rises to the ceiling back down into the room. This helps to maintain a more even temperature and can reduce heating costs. To achieve this, the fan should operate in a clockwise direction. When the fan spins clockwise, it gently pulls cool air up from the floor and forces the warm air, which naturally rises and accumulates near the ceiling, back down along the walls and into the living space. Reversing the direction of your ceiling fan is a simple way to make your heating and cooling systems work more efficiently. It helps to circulate air effectively, which can lead to more comfortable and energy-efficient living conditions. Remember to always turn off the fan before attempting to change its direction. If you are dealing with extrema cold like we are remember that it is easier to maintain a comfortable temperature in smaller spaces. We are riding out the extreme cold in the upstairs bedrooms because heat rises. This keeps us comfortable for much less than if we were trying to raise the temperature downstairs.