Winter has come in with a blast, and the cold nights and mornings make us want to rug up and keep warm inside our homes. When we're feeling the cold, we often want to turn the heat up as quick as possible, but by doing this we are likely to have a nasty surprise when our energy bills arrive.
The key to cost-effective heating is to close off the all the gaps and heat-leaks first and when your space is secure, then heat it - because an efficient home is also a warm home.
Tip 1: Cover your windows!
The best thing to do is use heavy-weighted curtains or blinds with insulating properties. You can also use double-runner curtains and a light gauze fabric in the front of the window for the day and a heavy fabric to stay warm at night.
Did you know: 40% of heat escaping from your home is from uncovered windows.
Tip 2: Seal up cracks and gaps!
Cracks and gaps in your house can contribute up to 15-25% of heat loss in your home. Sealing up wall or window cracks and gaps around doors and floors using weather stripping or gap filler can make a big different in keeping the cold weather out and the heat in.
Did you know: If you were to add up all the cracks and gaps in your house, it could be equivalent of having a window open all day and all night.
Tip 3: Close off rooms that aren't in use!
A great way to keep the heat where you want it is to keep the doors closed in your most used living spaces. This will save you money and keeps heat within the sections of your house that you are using.
Tip 4: Sunlight is key!
Take advantage of natural sunlight that is provided during the day by opening blinds and curtains to let as much sunlight and warmth in as possible to reduce the need for artificial heating. But remember to close the curtains once the night starts rolling in to keep the cold out!
Tip 5: Choose the right heater for your home.
Consider how you use your home before deciding how to heat it. There are advantages and disadvantages to different types of heating – for example, a small system may be cheaper up front but won't work for a larger home, and ducted heating can be expensive but will work in zones throughout your house so you're not heating areas you don't need. Selecting the right type of heating and setting it to the right temperature is important when it comes to heating your home and managing your energy bills.
Check out the Kempsey Energy Wise video for some great tips and tricks when it comes to saving money on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/Ng6aVKkAxW0
You can also borrow the Save Power Kit from the Kempsey Library – this can help you check for draughts and to test your heating and cooling systems.
