Battling the chill can be tough for those seeking to slash their energy bills, especially during winter. A cosy indoor temperature ranging between 18C and 21C is ideal but can be compromised by drafts via letterboxes, gaps around window frames, and even walls.
Nonetheless, David Miloshev, an accredited electrician from Fantastic Services, has revealed that there is a “surprising amount of clever little tricks you can use to keep yourself warmer and your bills lower” available for keeping your abode warmer while keeping costs down. He has collated “some of the best ones” for householders to bear in mind, reports the Express.
Miloshev champions the use of curtains and blinds as an electricity-free method that can greatly enhance warmth within the home.
He said: “Keep your blinds and curtains open during the hours of the day when the sun is shining towards your windows and close them when it starts to set.”
This strategy allows you to embrace the scant sunshine of winter days and bring that welcome warmth into your dwelling.
In addition, he said: “Closing the curtains and blinds afterwards helps create a good insulating layer and lets you keep that free warmth you’ve gathered throughout the day.”
Thicker curtains can serve as a more effective barrier against the escape of heat, particularly crucial with older windows. Safe Style Windows suggests a whopping 18 per cent of overall heat can be lost through windows.
To counteract this, Helen O’Connor, product manager at 247 Blinds and 247 Curtains, advises using curtains to block any drafts as a fundamental step to cut down on central heating needs. She explained: “Getting the right window dressing can help reduce your energy usage as heat loss through windows accounts for roughly 25 to 30 percent of the energy used in our homes.
“On average, in winter months, we have around six to eight hours of daylight, which means that for the other 18 hours of the day, we should consider keeping our curtains and blinds shut. If you’re not going to be home during the day, consider keeping your curtains closed, as this will help retain the heat when you come home.”
Experts are reminding households to pay attention to doors as well as windows to cut down on energy losses. David highlighted the importance of guarding against cold draughts, noting they can quickly strip a room of its warmth. “Consider draught stoppers for your doors and windows to help solve the issue,” he said.
David identified additional, often overlooked sources of heat loss: “Any other openings to the outside world might also be causing draughts – dryer vents, electrical work, oven vents, and even keyholes and outlets can be draught-causing culprits.”
“To cut down on these chilly intrusions,” he concluded, “Use keyhole and outlet covers or insulators, and make sure any other openings are well-sealed with caulking.”