Keep your home warm during the winter months is a must for everyone. It can be something that people can struggle with from either not being educated on the subject or a whole range of other reasons. Make sure you aren’t uneducated and read on for a range of tips on how to make your home warmer.
Bleed your radiators
Radiators not heating up properly is a common cause for your home not being as warm as it could be. If you’ve found that your radiators aren’t heating at the top then a way to fix this problem is to bleed those radiators that aren’t heating at the top. Bleeding your radiators isn’t as hard as it seems at all, it’s just the process of letting the blockage of trapped air out of your radiators as it is stopping the hot water reaching the top and heating all of your radiator. There are a range of guides online that are great to read through as they will guide you through step by step and have great advice on there so if you think you need to bleed your radiator it’s definitely worth finding one of these articles and giving it a read.
Block out your drafts
Although a draft blocker may seem like a simple solution it can often be one of the best and cheapest options that’s available to most people. Draft proofing can be a great way to save a little bit extra money a year too, draft proofing your windows and doors can save you up to £50 a year! It’s a simple DIY job that can be done using self-adhesive rubber seals which work on keeping the heat in and the cold out.
Reflect radiator heat
If you have a radiator that is facing an outside wall then the chances are that some of the heat generated by that radiator is being wasted by heating a wall that doesn’t face another room. There are a couple of ways that you can do this and some can be very cost-effective! The first way that you can go about reflecting this heat back into the room is by buying a radiator reflective panel, which is a thing sheet or foil that you place on your wall to reflect the heat being lost back into the room. These reflector panels normally cost around £5 - £10 with some of the premium products going to as much as £29.99. However, there is a much more cost-effective method of using some kitchen foil and a reflector panel behind your radiator. This should see very similar results and can be done almost instantly without the hassle and cost of having to leave your home and buy radiator panels.
Close those curtains
Leaving your curtains open throughout the day is a great way to not only let natural lighting into your home but also some natural heat. When the nights start drawing in and it begins to get colder outside shutting your curtains will keep the cold air on the outside and provide an extra layer of insulation for the lovely heat that has been kept on the inside. This can work even better making sure that you have no gaps in your curtains where your heat air can leak out and the cold air can get in.
Upgrade your boiler
If you have an old boiler then this could be a major cause of your house not heating correctly. If your boiler is older than ten years then it should be time to change it for a brand new, more efficient model.
There are usually a few other telltale signs that your old boiler could need replacing such as:
- Needs regular repairs
- If you’ve had your boiler for more than ten years
- Water temperature changes a lot
Any of these factors can suggest that you’re going to need a new boiler. It may seem like a huge upfront cost to switch out your boiler however you’ll find that in the long run it’s worth it as not only will your home become a lot warmer but you could save up to £300 a year on your heating bills. When looking to replace your boiler there is a range of brands out there such as Worcester Bosch, Vaillant Boilers and Viessmann. These are some of the most popular in the UK and are perfect for when you need to replace your old boiler. Do not be put off by the new boiler cost it will be worth the investment in the long run.,
Service your boiler
Making sure that your boiler is regularly serviced is something that many of us forget about but we shouldn’t, especially when it comes up to the colder months of autumn and winter when we’re relying on our heating. Having an engineer service your boiler will mean that it continues to remain efficient for longer, which not only means it will carry on heating your home for longer but also save you money. Before you call a private engineer it’s worth checking with your original boiler installers if your current boiler is either still under warranty or has a service already scheduled.
Following these tips is a great way to get started on making your home that little bit warmer and cosier for the whole family.
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