We all know how all of a sudden winter creeps into your life. On the one hand, you were having a great summer, but a chilly breeze hit you and a cold shiver ran down your back making you realise that winter was near and here. All the green leaves start turning orange brownish, days getting smaller, nights getting longer, the cold snowball fights making you feel chilly but the warming mug of coffee is there for you when you keep your house nice and warm.
There’s a lot to look forward to in winter, but you need to be warm and cosy at home when the temperature drops. Your boiler and central heating systems are key to ensuring the right temperature in your home and ensuring that you can enjoy the wintertime.
So what are the ways that can help you to stay warm in winter? There are a number of ways to keep yourself warm and cosy and here we have mentioned some tips that can help you make your environment pleasant and warm during the chilly season.
Reducing Heat Loss at Home
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Sealing the Windows
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Old windows have a horrible tendency to let air and wind pass through. Even the tiniest of peeking holes in the winter can put you in a frustrating situation where you want to close up all of the homes to keep your house nice and warm before the winter comes.
The breeze can be significantly reduced by sealing the windows. You can quickly seal this problem by using the blinds and curtains, but you can also use inexpensive adhesive foam strips. The drawback of this is that foam strips may not last long, so the alternative approach is that you can use metal or plastic strips that are more effective and lasting.
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Sealing up the Doors
It’s simple to seal windows, but it’s a no-no when it comes to sealing doors! You’re not going to be able to get along with that. Much though you might like the thought of locking yourself in at home and shutting the cold out, you’re going to want to leave home at some point. We’ve all had enough of lockdown!
You’ll realise at that point that sealing doors will never work for anyone. In this circumstance, the best thing you can do is draught-proof your doors. Because the gap between the bottom of the door and the frame is usually the most irritating spot, a draught blocker or hinged flap installed here will significantly reduce heat loss.
These can be found in most hardware and DIY stores and are easily installed by cutting the strip to size and screwing it in place.
If you are looking for an inexpensive but effective way to seal the cold, silicone sealant can be fixed around your door frame.
Installing and Repairing your Boilers
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Repairing your Gas Boiler
The boiler is the heart of your home and it’s really important that it is working properly. It’s important that, just like your car, you get your boiler serviced annually. Looking after your boiler will significantly reduce the risk of it breaking down in the middle of winter and leaving you without heating and hot water.
For additional peace of mind, a boiler cover policy will leave you safe in the knowledge that, should the worst come to the worst, you have highly qualified engineers available to fix your boiler and central heating as quickly as possible. If you’re a landlord a landlord gas boiler cover plan will leave your tenants secure in the knowledge that they have a ready-made solution in place, should they experience any problems.
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New Gas Boiler Installation
if your boiler is over ten years old it’s probably only running at an efficiency rate of about 60% – 70% compared to a modern condensing boiler efficiency of over 90%. Fitting an A-rated boiler can help you restore the heat and your peace of mind without hassle in the winter.
One or two boiler installation companies offer installation with boiler cover included. This can save a considerable additional cost and ensure your comfort. Most of the companies provide boiler services but can charge an extra amount for boiler installation and before the installation companies also inform the customer if the engineer will come for inspection, the charges will be increased or doubled.
Insulating your House
If your house is not insulated, there is a greater chance for the heat to escape. Insulating your attic space can help you save money on your energy bills while improving your comfort throughout the winter months. Because loft insulation is reasonably resistant to wear and tear, it should endure for many years, more than paying for itself in energy bill savings.
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Insulating your Attic
It’s pretty simple to lay insulation yourself as long as you’re not trying to insulate a flat roof, there are no condensation issues, and you have secure access to the attic. Mineral wool, for example, is a sort of insulation that you can buy, cut to size, and then spread out between the floorboards. To ensure optimal thermal efficiency, floorboards should be laid on top of the insulation— plus, you get the added benefit of being able to move around the attic.
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Areas that are Difficult to Access
Attics can take on strange shapes, with unpleasant little nooks and crannies poking out here and there to let hot air out. Professionals can blow appropriate insulation, such as mineral wool or treated cellulose, into those oddly-shaped spaces if this is the case in your home.
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What to do when you have a Flat Roof
When it comes to insulating a flat roof, it’s best to start from the top. To do so, place a layer of insulation board on top of the roof’s current waterproof layer, then seal the roof with another layer. We recommend engaging an expert to complete this task. Why? You don’t want to put yourself in further trouble when it’s already so cold outside.
To improve your energy efficiency, close any rooms that aren’t in use
If you live in a large building, shutting off the unused rooms is an excellent way to save money on electricity. This is due to the fact that heating larger dwellings are more expensive.
Shut the door and seal it with a door snake, door sweep, or draught stopper if you have a storage space or an empty guest room.
Shutting the doors to your rooms will prevent chilly air from entering the rest of the house and assist you in containing the heat you have generated. You’ll also save money and time by not having to heat a room that isn’t being used.
Wrapping yourself up
The most obvious and easy tip in this list is to wrap yourself in warming clothes. This will increase the cosiness and warmth around you. Even if you are not in a warmer place or your surrounding is not warm, wearing warm clothes can help you to maintain your body temperature.
Endnote
Keeping your home warm and efficient during the winter can be difficult. Keeping your home warm and comfortable, on the other hand, will be a breeze if you follow the tips above. Use these suggestions to battle the cold before it beats you!
Read more articles on home improvement to keep yourself safe and happy.
