It’s time to stock up on all you need to heat your home for the winter
EVER since the clocks went back, it really feels like winter has begun to set its icy hands upon us. When you wake up and have your morning coffee and step outside the warmth of your front door, you can most definitely feel the chill in the air. Hats, gloves and scarves have made a comeback and people have already begun to talk of the imminent arrival of a man in a red suit!
Yes folks, it’s getting colder and it’s time to stock up on all you need to heat your home for the winter. While there’s a lot of talk of global warming, the Irish winter can still be skinning, so you’ll need to take steps to ensure you and your family are snug!
In recent years there have been all kinds of developments to ensure that the cost of heating your home can stay at manageable levels. Okay, so it can still represent a significant outlay, but the fact is that with houses becoming more energy efficient all the time and developments in insulation and double glazing ensuring the heat will stay firmly trapped inside your home and keep you nice and toasty.
Apart from staving off the cold, there’s something wonderful about a roaring fire, a cup of tea and your favourite shows on the box that just about makes winter bearable. It doesn’t have to be something that’s going to break you financially ahead of Santa’s inevitable approach in December either.
Now is the time to start stocking up before the temperatures drop again, so that you don’t get landed with a big bill. Purchasing a bag of coal, some briquettes, blocks or putting some heating oil in your tank every couple of weeks can make all the difference when we really see the temperatures start to plummet. A little stockpile will also serve you in good stead as we await the arrival of increasingly exotic sounding storms to
batter our little isle.
Some people may even be entitled to a fuel allowance to help them through the winter months. It’s a payment handed over with social welfare and the recipient can choose to receive it weekly or in two lump sums. Those entitled to this allowance include those in receipt of a state pension, disability or job-seekers benefit.
Once you’ve bought in your fuel, there are certain steps you can take to ensure you’re getting the most out of it too. You can ensure that your windows are solid and insulate your attic well to save up to 20% on your home heating bill. Much of the heat lost in a home can escape through our windows, so double glazing options will be best in terms of efficiency. While perhaps you’ll be in no mood to watch the rain and wind outside anyway, pulling the curtains is also a good idea and make sure radiators in your home aren’t unnecessarily covered.