As winter gets into full swing, many of us are struggling once again to heat our homes affordably and efficiently. With rising gas bills and notoriously draughty houses, it’s no wonder it’s such a struggle, but there are some ways around it.
If you’re hoping to tackle this problem a little more effectively this year, then you’ve come to the right place. We’ve compiled a list of some simple tips to help keep you warm, from insulation to bleeding radiators.
Insulation, insulation, insulation
The most important thing when it comes to keeping your home warm and dry is having proper insulation in place. It doesn’t matter how much warmth your heating system is pumping out, if that heat can easily leave your home, you’ll be fighting a losing (and very expensive) battle.
If you haven’t had one yet, it’s worth having an energy efficiency assessment done. A professional will come to your home, and conduct an inspection using thermal imaging to see where heat is leaving your home.
They’ll give you an Energy Performance Certificate (or EPC) score, which will give you an insight into how efficient your home is in terms of its overall energy usage. You’ll often be able to improve this using some simple fixes, like taping old windows shut for the window or using insulated curtains.
Service your boiler
Boilers are constantly working, and as a result, they need regular servicing. In most cases, it’s advisable to do this at least once a year, but if you’ve got any concerns about your boiler, then it’s worth calling someone out sooner.
Servicing isn’t just for safety’s sake – it’s also necessary to ensure that the boiler is properly tuned, and that all the seals and valves are operating at optimum efficiency. An inefficient boiler is simply a waste of money, and it doesn’t take long for a technician from a service like Able Plumbers to get it back up to 100%.
Bleed your radiators
One of the simplest, cheapest and most effective ways of boosting your home’s heating is to bleed your radiators. Over time, air bubbles can start to build up in the heating system, meaning that the hot water from your boiler is unable to transfer its heat into your home.
By opening the small valve on your radiator, with a towel underneath to absorb any drips, you can bleed that air out, and ensure your home-heating is working as efficiently as possible.
In some cases, you may also need to invest in a power flush. This will help to get rid of any more substantial blockages made up from sludge or rust in the system, again helping your heating system to operate at peak efficiency.
Heating your home can be a tricky thing to navigate, but it needn’t be such a massive headache. By keeping these basic tips in mind, and researching alternative heating sources such as heat pumps, you can absolutely keep your home warm and cosy this winter.
Meg is an author at Cinnamon Hollow. She writes on a variety of topics sharing tips and ideas for daily life.
