As the nights begin to draw in and the temperatures drop its time to take a few simple steps that can
Get rid of those draughts
Place draught excluders along your outside doors to keep away cold air. If you’re creative, it’s easy to make one yourself too. Here are some guidelines on how to make a draught excluder, published in The Guardian.
Seal Gaps
Floors are responsible for up to 10% of the heat loss in homes where there isn’t flooring insulation, according to the National Energy Foundation. So, look for gaps in your floors – like between the ground and skirting boards – and cover them with a silicone-based filler. Don’t forget to seal the gaps around your doors and windows too. For that extra comfort during these cold months, consider covering wooden floorboards with rugs.
Tip: If your London property doesn’t have double-glazed windows, keep the heat inside by closing your curtains or blinds once the sun begins to set.
Insulate
Insulating your hot water tank and pipes saves a lot of energy and, in turn, money on those energy bills! The Energy Saving Trust says a British Standard hot water tank jacket costs around £15. However, it could save you up to £35 a year in energy costs by keeping your water hot for longer. Purchase foam tubes to cover the pipes between your hot water cylinder and boiler to save on costs too. Finally, don’t forget to insulate your loft or cavity walls, as experts believe around half of the heat in a typical home is lost through them!
Visit Energy Saving Trust to learn more about saving energy at your property whilst reducing your carbon emissions.
Regulate with a thermostat
It’s recommended to use a thermostat on a timer to control the temperature of your property. If you have individual thermostats on your radiators, consider turning them down, or off, in rooms that are used less often. Remember to shut the doors of these rooms to avoid heat escaping from the warmer ones.
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