Winter can be tough, particularly in the UK, where temperatures can dip below zero at times and energy bills have never been higher. Indeed, there have been countless news stories scribed in recent months about families being forced to choose between “heating and eating.” But keeping yourself and your family warm and safe this winter doesn’t have to cost you a fortune as long as you take affirmative action and start preparing for those cold spells sooner rather than later.
Heating System Maintenance
A well-maintained heating system isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity for the UK’s cold winter months. You’ll want to consider the following no later than the start of November, in the post-Halloween days when the temperature starts to dovetail:
Boiler Checks: Regular boiler inspections will help identify potential issues before they become major and exceptionally costly. If your boiler is old (any older than 5 years and it’s officially on the older side), it might be a good time to consider looking at more modern electric boilers, which are not only more energy efficient but easier to maintain. At the very least, you should definitely get a boiler technician out to give it a service.
Radiator Bleeding: Over time, air can get trapped in your radiators, causing them to work inefficiently. Bleeding them regularly ensures they’ll heat up faster and retain that heat for longer. And all you need to do this is a radiator key and an empty bowl!
Programmable Thermostats: Manage your energy consumption better with programmable thermostats that let you turn the heating up and down at will. We’d suggest, however, always leaving the temperature at a steady 18-20 rather than ramping it up and down, as this will always end up using more energy.
Insulation and Draught-Proofing
Retaining heat is as crucial as generating it and insulation is surprisingly affordable. Of course, ripping hole in your walls to stuff them with fiberglass is going to be a costly and disruptive job but there are more affordable options to consider.
Loft Insulation: Heat rises and if your loft isn’t properly insulated, that heat is always going to eventually escape through the roof. If your loft isn’t already properly insulated, it’s a job you should be able to do yourself. All you need is some fibreglass, foam boards or mineral wool to lay beneath and between the wooden boards.
Sealing Gaps: Gaps around doors and windows can let in cold draughts and let our warm air. This is a remarkably simple and fast thing to rectify. Use sealants and draught excluders to prevent cold air ingress and always remember to keep doors and windows closed as often as possible. In addition to sealing gaps, also consider draught-proofing areas like the loft hatch and chimney if they aren’t in use.
Follow these cost-effective tips and you can ensure your home remains a toasty winter sanctuary, even as the mercury drops into silly figures outside. Oh, and remember to wrap up warm! Because the cheapest way to stay way is always to grab a nice thick jumper!
