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When the weather gets colder, many people’s first instinct is to switch the central heating on. But as the cost-of-living crisis continues, it’s sensible to look for less expensive and most efficient ways to to improve your heating system – which means finding energy-efficient solutions for keeping your house warm over the winter.
The good news is there are many options when it comes to heating your home and reducing energy bills, including various methods of warming up a room and ways to prevent heat from escaping.
Here are five of the most efficient ways to heat your home this winter.
1: Insulate Your Home
Heat can escape through the windows, so shutting your curtains and blinds at night is a great way to trap heat and insulate your home. You could also look into having your windows double or triple-glazed, if they’re not already, as this reduces the speed at which warm air is lost.
Another strategy for staying warm is to shut the door of the room you’re currently in, which helps to keep the heat in. Placing a draught excluder at the bottom of each door around your home can help to prevent cold air from entering – and stops warm air from escaping.
You could also look into loft and cavity wall insulation, both of which will help your home to retain heat for longer. Although having insulation installed can be expensive, it is an investment which will allow you to save money in the long run while keeping your home warm.
2: Use An Electric Heater
If you’re just trying to keep one room warm, it might not be worth switching the radiators on. Instead, a small electric heater could be enough to heat up the space, especially if you live in a small house or flat. However, it is not as cost effective as having your central heating system switched on. You could also consider getting an electric fireplace, as this is a convenient way to provide a room with heat and light, without having to buy fuel as you would for a real fire.
3: Check Your Thermostat
If you have to turn your heating on, there are ways to make your energy usage more efficient. It’s recommended that you set your thermostat to between 18C and 21C – remember that turning it up higher won’t heat the house any faster.
When the heating is on, make sure there’s no furniture in front of the radiators, as this blocks warm air, which means your home will take longer to heat up and in turn cost you more to heat.
4: Make Sure Your Boiler Is Up To Date
Older G-rated boilers tend to be less energy efficient, meaning they cost more to run. Replacing your old boiler will help you to heat your home for less. Any installation must be carried out by a registered heating engineer. It’s a good idea to have your boiler serviced regularly, as this will let you know when it’s time for an upgrade.
5: Replace Your Current Heating System With a Heat Pump
An air source heat pump could allow you to save money – although it depends on how much you’re currently paying for energy. Keep in mind that, as with insulation, it may be expensive to have a heat pump installed, but they are energy-efficient and could help to lower bills over time. It is one of the most efficient ways to improve your carbon footprint too.
And there you have it – just a few ways to efficiently heat your home during the cooler months.
