During the chilly months, people tend to spend more time at home - and use more energy. There are many simple habits you can adopt to avoid the cold at home, without cranking up your heating devices.
Here are 10 energy efficiency tips that may help you to stay warm and save more this winter.
Staying warm doesn’t have to mean blowing your energy bill through the roof. It’s quite easy to stay warm by layering up with quality clothing and blankets:
If you’re still feeling the cold, it may be time to bring out a blanket, throw or quilt. Try alternating between thinner and thicker layers to maximise the insulation effect.
A hot water bottle or warm wheat bag can warm your body and uses less energy than an electric blanket. They are also great for localised warmth which may help with aches, pains or cramps. You could even pop the hot water bottle between your feet to warm your extremities.
At night, you can stick it between the covers for a warm, cosy sleep. Make sure your hot water bottle isn’t too full and the top is tightly fastened.
Insulated draught proofing acts as a barrier that prevents the unwanted movement of hot and cold air between inside your house and outside. It’s also essential for keeping your home warm in winter. Here a few simple tips to help you reduce heat loss in your home:
Do a thorough inspection of anywhere you might be losing heat. Places to check include gaps in skirting and floorboards, around windows and doors and under doors. There are many ways you can stop air from coming in or out of your home, which may help you reduce your energy use and bills.
Draught proofing solutions are one of the simplest ways to seal off unwanted air leakage and insulate your home. Apply weather strips around the inside of the door and window frames, consider filling any gaps in floorboards or skirting boards with silicone.You could also either fix a weather strip to the bottom of doors or use an old fashioned door snake – different colours can be used to jazz up your rooms.
Ask a professional to check your roof space and to make recommendations for ceiling insulation. Get more than one quote for installation – there are many different types and it can pay to shop around.
Staying warm this winter doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg. If you’re considering an alternative solution to insulation and warm clothing, you may find several different indoor heating options at your disposal. Some energy efficient heaters are cheaper than others. Some are particularly efficient in certain types of spaces, depending on factors like your thermostat. Where possible, try to choose the device with the highest energy efficiency stars and check the wattage. It may be more expensive to purchase, but a more energy efficient model could help you to reduce your consumption and energy bills.
As a general rule of thumb, only heat the room you’re using. Close the doors in the room you want to heat, and if you have central heating with a zone feature, switch that on too.
It’s time to get moving! One of the best activities to warm up is to get blood pumping through your body. Here are a few tips:
Take a break every 25 minutes and do some star jumps or a quick online workout to get your heart rate up.
Go for a walk on your lunch break.
Set your mobile phone alarm to remind you to take a break from sitting and move around.
When we sit for long periods our bodies don’t get the oxygen and blood flowing through to our limbs. So if you want to stay warm, commit to moving more in your daily routine.
A home that is set up for natural heating may reduce your energy heating consumption and help to lower your energy bills.
When the sun rises in the morning make sure to open your blinds or curtains so the natural light can flow in and naturally heat your home. Once it hits an object, sunlight becomes radiant heat. Don’t forget to close your curtains or blinds when the sun sets to keep that warmth in.
Depending on where your furniture is positioned, you may feel warmer if your furniture is closer to the inside of your house and away from cooler, external walls and windows. Try to place your furniture in the line of sunshine so that it catches the heat from the sun.
Winter is the perfect time to cosy up with a big blanket and a hot drink to stay warm. The season presents an opportunity to sit around and spend quality time with family and a drink of choice.
Hot chocolate seems to be a crowd favourite – there’s something undeniably satisfying about the chocolatey warm goodness that trickles down the back of your throat on a cold day. If you’re looking to experiment with hot chocolate recipes this winter, there are many free recipes online to add to your list of winter favourites.
It’s no secret that hot air rises, so your upstairs floor naturally tends to be warmer than lower levels. So, if you want to stay warm during the winter months, spend more time on the second floor of your home – if you have one – and take advantage of the warmer air.
Upstairs doesn’t have to be isolating. You could include the whole family by allowing your kids to make a cubbyhouse in your bedroom or turn the upstairs space into a family room for game night.
Typically, our ceiling fans are used to create a breeze in the cooler months. But with the simple flick of the switch, you can spin the blades in the opposite direction, forcing the warm air near the ceiling down to the floor, making your room a little warmer.
Grab a step stool and safely locate the fan switch near the motor (this can vary between models). Flip it in the opposite direction and then turn the fan back on at a low speed to make sure the blades are moving in the opposite direction.
Changing the direction of ceiling fans in your home is an energy-efficient way to find comfort and warmth in the colder months.
A man’s best friend, or a man’s best heater? Our furry friends can be a great heating device to keep us warm during the winter months. They are great to cuddle up with and often provide us with a sense of unconditional love that can also warm our souls.
It’s also important to consider the safety of your pets in winter. Exposure to cooler temperatures can be detrimental for our furry friends too. Winter produces cold, dry air and in some areas, snow can cause chapped paws or itchy skin. Pay attention to your pets’ feet, especially in between the toes. If left outside for too long, pets can become cold, and disorientated so always check in on them.
With working from home now the norm for many, having an animal at home can be great company – and a furry, cuddle buddy during the winter months.
Using smart meter data and clever algorithms, Energy Insights estimates how much electricity your home uses and helps you take control of running costs.
