The weather has certainly turned and many of us are playing the “should we” or “shouldn’t we” game of whether or not to put the central heating on.
And with energy costs soaring, we are all certainly keen to hold off as long as possible.
So what steps can we take to keep our homes warmer to delay switching on the heating until we absolutely have to?
Block off door draughts
Stopping the warm air from escaping and the cold air from coming in can certainly help keep a room warm. If you haven’t got any draught excluders try making them from old pillow cases stuffed with old socks and other unwanted rugs. Failing that, rolling up towels and blankets to put at the foot of a door can also work well.
Think about your windows
Window frames can also be major sources of heat loss, especially when they are old. Again draught excluders can sometimes work well, but it does depend on your window design. Huge amounts of heat can be lost through windows anyway, whether or not they are draughty around the frames. Keeping curtains closed will always help a room to stay warmer and if you can afford to buy a pair of thermal curtains for the room you spend most time in, then this can be a solution too.
Use soft furnishings to insulate
If you have a hard floor in your rental home, now is the time to think about rolling out some rugs. If you haven’t got any tucked away, then perhaps start browsing in charity and second-hand shops or looking for online bargains, to see what you can afford. Covering up hard floors with carpets and rugs will help your rooms to stay warmer for longer.
Cover floorboards
Stripped floorboards look lovely but they are a major problem when it comes to trying to keep the heat in and the draughts out. Again, the cold can enter, and the heat can be lost through the gaps between boards.
Get ready for the winter
Discuss the readiness for winter of your boiler and central heating system with your landlord or letting agent. Find out whether a boiler service is due and ask if the engineer can also check the radiators and thermostat. You need to know the system is efficient and ready for the winter. Then when the temperature really drops, and you decide to switch it on, you can ensure you are using it for maximum efficiency.
