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10 tips for staying warm

Here are tips to keeping a cozy house during the cold winter seasons. They don't take much effort, and are inexpensive ways to be resourceful!

1. Time central heating

Programming your boiler to turn on 30 minutes prior to waking up in the morning – but at a lower temperature to be cost effective. Boiler heats up at a consistent speed no matter what you set the thermostat to. Don't make the mistake of leaving your heat on low all day – then you are paying for heat you don’t need.

2. Rearrange your sofa

Positioning your favorite chair in front of the radiator may seem ideal, but it’s only doing harm by absorbing the heat that could be providing heat in your home. With that space open, hot air can circulate throughout the house.

3. Use your curtains and take advantage of daylight savings

Heat from the sunlight is given freely, so why not make use of it. Allowing the sun to shine through the curtains during the day warms up the glass windows; projecting heat to the walls of your home. As the sun goes down, close your curtains to trap the warmth. Make sure you don't have any hidden leaks or gaps that prevent the warm air from staying in.

4. Keep the Kitchen Warm and Cozy

While you are cooking, boiling, and baking, all that heat accumulated will keep your kitchen warm without having the need to turn the thermostat. Try making a cup of hot cocoa, something cooking in the crock pot, and bake cookies to get your kitchen stirring up heat!

5. Change your bedding

The bed unfailingly seems to be the warmest place in the house. But here's a little trick – you can make it even warmer with additional blankets, or a down comforter.

6. Up your decor

Rugs offer more than adding color to your living space, they can contribute warmth too. Floors account for up to 10% of heat loss if they're not insulated. Having bare floors mean cold mornings, but having a rug keeps the home warm as well as your toes.

7. Reflect heat

Radiator panels are appropriately priced, easy to install, and will ensure that heat from your radiators warms up your room and not your walls. By deflecting the heat back into the room, it keeps your home nice and cozy.

8. Cover the keyhole

Another step to keeping your home warmer is to prevent heat from breaking away through gaps and cracks in walls. A few apparent ones are easy to find: pipes, cables, behind the washing machine, under kitchen cupboards, key holes, and around sinks and toilets.

9. Maximize insulation

About 25% of heat is lost through the roof. It can be substituted by installing 25 cm of insulation throughout your loft. Although it’s a costly upgrade, it can save you more long term.

10. Turn the dial down

This may appear counter-intuitive, but stick with us. The World Health Organization has suggested to keep room temperature at a minimum of 70 degrees. A studies shows that turning down your thermostat 5 degrees. That could reduce your electricity bill by almost 10%! Keeping your dial at 65 degrees will save you money and avoid living in a cold home.