Published on: Mar 17 2014
With the ever-present threat of energy costs rising, it makes sense to try and reduce the costs of fuel bills by better insulating the home. While some methods can be considered hi-tech and high cost, there are also cheap and easy ways to retain heat in the home that can also be kind to the environment.
Do not ignore the potential of natural sunlight. During the day, when the sun is shining, ensure that as much solar heat as possible is captured by keeping curtains and blinds open. This energy is completely free and providing that the window dressings are drawn as soon as the sun goes down, some of the heat will be retained in the room.
A great deal of heat can be lost through the smallest of gaps. Install a brush draught excluder in the letter box, put a keyhole cover over the front door keyhole, and put a small piece of insulation into non-securing cat flaps. Check window frames to see if there are any gaps between the openings and frame, and if so, fill these with stick-on draught strip. Place draught excluders at the bottom of doors to stop cold air coming into the house.
As much as 10% of household energy can be lost through floors, so these need to be considered too. A carpet will help to retain warmth as well as deadening sound, while bare floorboards should be covered with a rug. Any gaps between floorboards should be filled with a silicone-based sealant.
What is put up at the window can make a big difference on how much heat is retained. Heavy curtains hung close to the wall will ensure that heat cannot escape, and they will work even better if they are lined with a thermal or fleece lining. However, curtains may not suit every interior, and a more universally acceptable window dressing, and one that is very on-trend at the moment, are window shutters. These provide a streamlined and neutral looking window dressing, and are available in a wide variety of colours and styles.
Spending a little more money on permanent insulation will pay for itself in quite a short time. For those who are desirous of a minimalist look for their home but obviously need to insulate and heat it too, ThermaSkirt provides an excellent alternative. ThermaSkirt provides radiant heating and replaces both radiators and skirting boards. The heat it provides is clean and demonstrates improved energy efficiency.
Laying proper insulation in the loft space between the ceiling and the roof, and in cavity walls, can save a fortune on heating bills, while double-glazed windows will not only help to retain heat but cut down on external noise too.
Finally, make sure that all heating appliances, boilers etc., are working correctly and performing to their optimum efficiency. Something as simple as a blocked fan can greatly reduce an appliance’s ability to function and can result in a greater consumption of energy, which harms the environment and increases fuel bills.
