Tareq's Tips #4
Six handy hints to help keep your house warm through a big chill…
It’s looking like we’re due to see some big drops in temperature through December, and there might even be a touch of the white stuff. If your house isn’t keeping you as snug as a bug in a rug, we’ve got a few ideas here for easy ways to stave off the shivers and optimise your home heating throughout the winter season.
1. Cut out draughts
There are plenty of places around the home which can let a draught in. Adding an insulation strip around your front door, for example, can really cut out the cold air, as can fitting a letterbox cover and keyhole cover – all easily available from your local DIY shop.
2. Get your radiators working harder
At Roost Heating, we always say that bleeding your radiators regularly is a no-brainer, as it helps ensure they’re working as efficiently as possible. If your radiators are old, a power flush to clear out sludge build-up is also a good idea. A simple DIY fix is to add shiny silver foil behind them so more heat reflects out into the room. If nothing seems to kickstart them into action and they’re still failing to keep you cosy, just get in touch and we can come up with a solution.
3. Achieve the optimum home temperature
When the temperature drops, it’s often an automatic reaction to turn up your heating thermostat. It’s the thermostat’s job to maintain a constant temperature whatever the weather, so fiddling about with it won’t make you any warmer. Just set it to the desired temperature (20°C is the general preference) and let it work its magic. If your thermostat’s not working properly, perhaps it’s time you opted for something a bit smarter – take a look at our smart controls range.
4. Get your boiler checked
A cold house can often be down to a boiler that’s not behaving itself. Strange clunking noises, radiators that gurgle and don’t get hot, or never enough hot water, can all be signs your heating system needs an overhaul. It’s best to book a boiler check, which may result in a simple fix – and will certainly mean you can rest assured your boiler is safe. If you do need a brand new boiler, we can advise you on the best, most economical option and install it too, so you’ll be toasty in no time.
5. Consider your soft furnishings
Adding blackout blinds behind your curtains, or thermal interliners within them, can keep draughts around windows at bay and help keep your house that bit warmer – even with modern double glazing, windows can still let heat out. Similarly, wooden or tiled floors can be warmed up with a woolly rug, or you could consider an underfloor heating system to really heat things up.
6. Check out your chimney
If you’ve got an open fireplace that’s purely decorative, or a chimney you never use, it might be creating a draught or taking heat away from the room. You can buy ‘chimney balloons’ at most DIY shops to quickly and easily fill the gap. Not suitable if you’re planning on lighting a fire, but worth investing in if you rely on your central heating system.
When it comes to home heating, economical and efficient solutions and clever ways to save energy, at Roost Heating we’re full of bright ideas. For further information on new boilers, underfloor heating, smart thermostats and more – just get in touch.