Keep warm this winter
AS WE move towards the winter months, keeping warm in your home becomes more of an issue as the dark, cold nights set in.
However, heating your home doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg, and, by following these top tips, you can keep cosy without breaking the bank. Check all your insulation, from windows to walls, ceiling to under floors. It is one of the most costeffective ways to stop the cold creeping through the house.
Make sure your pipes and boilers are properly lagged too. Something as simple as pipe foam wraps can be picked up for just a few pounds – but always put them on when the pipes are cool to make sure you don’t burn yourself. Maintenance on heating equipment is important, so make sure all water-fed radiators are bled and working correctly. A working radiator should be warm evenly across the panel; if it isn’t, there could be air trapped inside.
Once these are done, you can look at your home’s overall heating requirements.
Is your boiler fired to the most efficient way possible?
Can you turn your thermostat down a degree or two?
Are you buying your electricity and gas from the cheapest source?
These things are relatively simple to check online and with tools to help you estimate your costs and potential savings with alternative heating sources. The right heating source can vary depending on how you use your home – if you spend all day in the house, consider the cheapest for prolonged use, while some occasional systems provide instant heat, but are not ideal to be left on all day. Think too about future cost – wood-fuelled heating systems burn wood pellets, chips or logs and can also power central heating and hot water. Heat pumps and solar panels can not only save you cash but government-funded feed-in tariffs can make some options earn money for you. Try speaking to your energy supplier to see if you’re on the best rate or tariff. Some may move you on to a cheaper option, if available.
If not, it might be time to consider switching to make sure you’re not being ripped off.
It all feels like it will be rather difficult until you actually start to check, so don’t delay.