Looking for ways to reduce your energy bills? Our experts have compiled a list of home insulation tips to help you save money this winter.
Simple tweaks such as furniture arrangement and cost-efficient DIY upgrades can help to keep your home and garden rooms warm without costing you a fortune.
Our founder Jamie Jones says: “Although we’re seeing a reduction in energy prices, it would not be right to declare the energy affordability crisis over, especially in the current economic climate.”
“Homeowners should remain vigilant and proactive. There are many simple yet effective steps individuals can take within their own homes to shield themselves from their energy bills skyrocketing.”
8 cost-effective home insulation tips
- Place larger furniture along exterior walls
Not only can rearranging furniture breathe new life into your living space, but the strategic placement of furniture can make a significant difference in maintaining a well-insulated home.
By placing larger pieces of furniture along exterior walls, such as bookshelves, you create a barrier that helps to block any cold drafts and retain heat. Beds and chairs, on the other hand, should snuggle up against internal walls to prevent the disruption of any cold air.
Consider angling your furniture toward the room’s heat source, whether it’s a fireplace or a radiator, to maximise the distribution of warmth. However make sure none are placed directly in front of radiators, as doing so will prevent heat from travelling around the room.
- Add rugs
Rugs aren’t just stylish floor coverings, they are a great alternative for households that cannot afford underfloor heating. As an estimated 10% of all heat is lost through the floor of properties, especially those with wooden floors, rugs act as an additional layer of insulation, helping to trap warmth within a room.
Jamie added, “Opt for thicker, high-pile rugs for maximum heat retention and place them in areas where you frequently walk or sit, such as in the living room, bedroom or glass room extension, to prevent heat from escaping through cold floors.”
- Install radiator reflectors
When it comes to maximising the efficiency of your home heating system, radiator reflectors are an inexpensive solution that often goes overlooked. These simple, reflective panels can be easily installed behind your radiators, acting as a powerful tool to redirect heat into your room instead of being absorbed by walls.
Radiators placed against external walls tend to lose heat to the outdoors, so by fitting them with reflectors, you can bounce the lost warmth back into the room.
This home insulation tip not only makes your space warmer but also reduces the workload on your heating system, resulting in lowered energy consumption and heating costs.
- Upgrade your doors and windows
Older doors and windows are often the culprits behind significant drafts and heat loss in homes.
Investing in modern doors and windows with high-quality insulation materials and double glazing can prevent cold air from entering, reduce heat loss, and lower your energy bills in the long run. Old conservatories can be bad at retaining heat, so it could be worth looking into some modern conservatory alternatives if this is the case in your home.
If a full upgrade isn’t feasible, inspect your existing doors and windows for gaps and cracks, sealing them to keep the cold air at bay. An easy way to spot gaps is to hold a candle near windows and doors to see if the flame begins to move.
- Make use of curtains
Heavy curtains and blinds can help to keep the cold air at bay and lock in the warmth by acting as an additional barrier against chilly outdoor temperatures.
During the day, open the curtains to allow natural sunlight to enter and warm your home. Then, as the sun sets and the temperatures drop, close them to create a cosy, insulated room. For added effectiveness, place the curtains snugly against the window frame to minimise heat loss or invest in thermal curtains for additional home insulation.
- Bleed your radiators
Over time, air can gather in your radiators, causing cold spots and causing them to take longer to heat up your room. Bleeding radiators involves releasing this trapped air, allowing hot water to circulate freely and evenly, which in turn maximises the radiator’s heat output.
By bleeding your radiators at the beginning of the colder season, you can ensure that your home is heated efficiently, reducing energy wastage.
- Use draft excluders
Draft excluders, usually made of insulating materials like foam or fabric, act as barriers and are an affordable solution to keep cold air from entering your home through the bottom of doors.
Although they can be bought cheap, anyone can make their own draft excluders using rolled-up towels, or filling fabric with padding from an old cushion.
- Use timers on your central heating
Making use of timers on your central heating system is a smart way to manage your energy consumption effectively. Aligning the timings with your daily routines, ensuring your home is warm when you need it most. For example, you can program the heating to come on before you wake up in the morning and to turn off when you leave for work, then have it kick back in just before you return home.
This level of control not only saves energy by preventing unnecessary heating during hours you don’t need it but also keeps your home cosy when you’re present. Some modern thermostats even offer remote control through smartphones, making it easy to adjust your heating schedule on the go. By using timers intelligently, you can strike a balance between comfort and energy savings, making your home more efficient and cost-effective to heat during the winter.
Invest in a bioclimatic pergola to keep your space at the perfect temperature all year round
At Open Space Concepts, we specialise in the design and installation of bespoke outdoor living structures that offer the perfect balance of comfort, style, and practicality.
Our louvered pergolas have a natural ventilation system that ensures they remain at the ideal temperature all year round, retaining heat much better than a traditional conservatory.
To make an enquiry, get in touch with the Open Space Concepts team today.
