Living in a cold home can place stress on the body, whilst also triggering problems within the property such as dampness and mould development. It’s recommended to keep the home between 18C and 21C to feel comfortable. However, this warmth can quickly vanish through the letterbox, draughts in window frames and through the walls.
David Miloshev, Certified Electrician from Fantastic Services, said: “There are a surprising amount of clever little tricks you can use to keep yourself warmer and your bills lower. I’ve gathered some of the best ones for you to bear in mind.”
One of these tips involves using your curtains and blinds. It doesn’t require any electricity, but it could make a big difference.
The expert 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.”
“By allowing the rays of sunshine into your home, you are taking advantage of the free solar heat.
“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.”
The thicker the curtains, the better, as they will help to prevent more heat from escaping – particularly if you have old windows.
According to Safe Style Windows, around 18% of the total heat within a home is lost through the windows.
Households could tackle excessive heat loss by layering curtains over blinds, according to the experts at Hillarys. Hillary’s specialists explained: “On days when it’s cold or really hot, keep them closed for maximum impact. If you have a radiator fitted under a window, we recommend combining your curtains with a blind.
“Open the curtains while the blind is closed to keep draughts at bay without blocking the heat from your radiator.”
Families can also tackle draughts surrounding the window frame as well as around doorways. David explained the chilly draughts could rob households of “priceless” warmth before they realise it.
The electrical expert went on: “Consider draught stoppers for your doors and windows to help solve the issue.
“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. Use keyhole and outlet covers or insulators, and make sure any other openings are well-sealed with caulking.”