Colder temperatures are on their way and I don’t know about you but I’ve already started turning up the thermostat and I bet you have as well! Which got me thinking about ways I can keep my home warmer this winter.
I knew there had to be some cheap and easy hacks to reduce heat loss and keep my family warm and toasty and I was right! After doing some research I came across some really ingenious tips and tricks that I want to share with you and hope they can help keep your home warm, too.
Reflect Radiator Heat
I often use tin foil to keep food warm while I’m dishing out the evening meal, but did you know you can also use it in your home to prevent heat loss? Neither did I! By putting tin foil on the wall behind radiators, it helps to prevent heat leaking through the walls and reflects it back into your home instead. You can buy specialist foil from DIY stores but using kitchen foil will do the trick.
Another little tip: putting a shelf above your radiator can also help to reflect the heat.
DIY Draught Excluders
Doors and windows are one of the biggest areas for heat loss so it’s a good idea to fill any small gaps with filler or insulation tape. Another solution is draught excluders but if you need one for each room then this can become expensive. So, then I thought why not make some? I found that you can make DIY draught excluders from pillow cases, old curtains, or even tights! While writing this post I actually had to roll up a blanket and pop it by the door as there was an awful draft coming through. I hadn’t even realised unless I was sitting in one place working so it is worth regularly checking doorways.
Cover Up Floors
Wooden floors are gorgeous but if they’re not insulated then they all your heat can drain through them. To solve this, you can use filler to block up any gaps between floor boards, but this can take quite a long time! Alternatively, you can add rugs and blankets to make your home warmer as well as more cosy and inviting. I am a sucker for a good rug and constantly have throw pillows around etc. Soft furnishings are a godsend when it comes to getting cosy.
Check Your Boiler
Make sure you are optimising your boiler and heat settings. It may seem ideal to keep the temperature high all the time but it will make the rooms feel warmer if you have it at a steady temperature. Blasting the heat just makes it feel colder when the temperature evens out. It may be worth looking to see if you need to invest in a new boiler. Companies such as Bbright offer finance too so that it is not such a large outlay at this time of year.
Choose Thicker Curtains
Your home loses a lot of heat around windows and doors, but thick curtains can help to combat this problem. If you have the money then investing in some thermal lined curtains is a brilliant idea, or if you’re on a budget then you can line curtains yourself with an old duvet cover, a blanket or even a shower curtain! Even if you have blinds at your windows it is always worthwhile adding the extra layer of warmth thick curtains can bring.
Another little tip: hang curtains at your doors as well as your windows to reduce heat loss even further.
Light Candles and Cosy Up.
You may not think it will make much difference but lighting candles will not only add extra heat to rooms but will make it look so much more cosy too. Lots of blankets and cushions or pillows too. Heck make a fort, turn the lights down low, pop on a movie and cosy up with a loved one, sharing body heat is a great way to warm up!
I really hope these tips can help keep your home warm this winter. I’ll definitely be using some of these ideas to keep myself and the girls warm! Which ones are you going to try?
This is a collaborative post with Bbright.