With winter coming, it’s natural to wonder how prepared your house is. You want to be warm and toasty but, at the same time, you don’t want to be spending a fortune to achieve this. Below, we explore how you can run a warm – but economical house – this winter.
Draughts
First and foremost, your house needs to be in a position to keep the cold out and retain the heat that’s being pumped around. One of the primary ways to achieve this is by eliminating draughts. If it’s windows that are the problem, then you can attempt to try and draught proof them with strips. Alternatively, you can fit and close thick curtains to prevent windows from becoming a problem. You can try similar things to stop draughts through doors too. And if you have a chimney next to a fire you don’t use, there’s the option of blocking the chimney with an old pillow.
Check your heating
Once the cold days hit, your boiler will be key to keeping your house warm. Prior to the cold days make sure you check to see if your heating works. Ensure that your boiler is performing optimally and dust off vents and filters. If there’s an issue, you’ll at least have time in advance to look through combination boilers and purchase a new heating system. Also bleed your radiators in advance too. This should remove air pockets and ensure that your heating system is running as efficiently as possible. It’s recommended that you carry out this process once per year.
Insulate your pipes
The pipes in your house are crucial to your heating system. They facilitate the movement of hot water around the house: if they freeze, break or become blocked then your system will be compromised. To protect them you can try insulating the pipes. You can do this by fitting them with foam rubber or fiberglass sleeves to shield them from the cold. But be aware that while this can be easily arranged for exposed pipes, it can get expensive if the walls need opening up for access.
Ensuring your house is prepared for winter can save you time and money. Ensure that you seal all draughts, evaluate your heating system and insulate your pipes in advance. By following these steps you should be kept warm and happy this winter.
