As the weather starts to turn colder, finding the most efficient way to heat your home is going to get more and more important – after all, not only do you want to stay nice and comfortable over the winter, but you also don’t want to have to face those eye-watering heating bills afterwards either. The good news is that there are actually plenty of ways to heat your home more efficiently and still be completely comfortable – no compromises are necessary, in other words. So with that in mind, keep reading to find out more so you can get started before it gets too cold (and expensive).
Use Infrared Diesel Heaters
One of the most efficient (and increasingly popular) heating options for your home is the infrared diesel heater. These heaters are amazing when it comes to giving you real warmth that’s targeted exactly where you want it to go, and that means you’re not going to be wasting any energy heating areas or even whole rooms that don’t actually need to be heated.
Infrared heaters work by emitting ‘radiant heat’ which is then absorbed by the things in the room (including people!), rather than warming the air like traditional heaters and radiators do. Not only is it a more efficient way to heat things up, but the heat itself feels different, and a lot of people think it’s more cosy and comforting than standard heating, so it’s great for all kinds of reasons.
Maximise Your Insulation
Insulation is a fantastic defence against heat loss, and without it, all that precious warmth is literally escaping through the roof, walls, and windows. If your home isn’t properly insulated, your heating system has to work twice as hard to keep the space warm, and that can cause problems – it’s more expensive, and the system can start to fail much sooner because it’s working so much (and then that’s going to cost money to sort out too).
Start by checking the loft because heat rises, so that’s where you’re going to lose a lot of heat if the insulation isn’t any good – if it does need replacing or you just think it could do with topping up, that’s a great idea and it’s a job that should be done before winter comes; you should definitely feel the difference when it comes to the warmth in your home.
You can also check the wall insulation which prevents heat from leaking through the walls to the outside. If this needs to be fixed or added to, it’s going to be more of an investment than adding insulation to your loft, but it’s one that’s going to pay off in the long run when it comes to the cost of your heating bills, so it should be something you consider.
Layers On Furniture
When we talk about layers, the first thing that probably comes to mind is your clothing. It’s actually much better to wear two or three (or more if it’s really cold!) clothing layers that you can remove when you need to and that keep you warm by trapping heat between them rather than just one really thick layer that may not keep you as warm as you’d expect (not to mention the fact that it’s also potentially rather uncomfortable to wear).
However, if layering can work so well for clothing, what about for your furniture? Adding cosy layers to your furniture can help keep the warmth where it needs to be, and it’ll make your space feel so much nicer as well; just try it and you’ll see what we mean.
If you’re not sure where to start, don’t worry – the best first step is a simple one; cushions and pillows. If you’re got a sofa or a chair, adding cushions to it is a great way to make it more comfortable (it’s so much nicer to sink into a load of soft cushions and pillows than it is to just sit on a couch without anything there), but as a bonus, the material can also hold heat, so the more you have, the warmer you’ll feel. You can also add blankets and throws – just drape them over your sofa, armchairs, or even your bed, and you’ll have that extra insulation you’re looking for (and when you’re not using them, they look great in terms of your decor anyway).
Finally, don’t forget the floor because you can layer there as well using rugs. If you’ve got hardwood or tile floors, adding thick rugs can stop heat from escaping through the floor and make your room feel instantly cosier – plus, they’re soft underfoot, so it’s not a chore to have them in your home.
Make The Best Most Of Natural Heat
One of the cheapest ways to heat your home is to use the natural warmth of the sun, which might sound like a strange thing to say since we’re talking about winter, but the fact is that even during the colder months, the sun can be a really powerful source of heat if you’re able to harness it properly.
If you want to start with something simple, just open your curtains and the sun will come in more easily – it might not be as warm as your heating would be, but a nice patch of sunlight is definitely going to feel pretty good and add at least a little heat into any room. On the other hand, make sure you close your curtains at night when the sun sets – if you do that, you’ll be trapping the heat inside and it won’t be able to escape through the windows. And if you don’t yet have thermal curtains, what are you waiting for? They’ll help to insulate your windows much more effectively and your home still stay even warmer.
Regular Maintenance
If might not be the most exciting task, but regular maintenance of your heating system is crucial if you want it to keep running efficiently – remember that a well-maintained system is sure to save you money on your monthly bills, but it also means you won’t have to spend out on costly repairs down the line, so it’s a win-win.
You can (and should) call in a professional for the big jobs, but there are some things you can do yourself, like bleeding your radiators, checking on your boiler or furnace, and getting your chimney swept, so make a note to do them each year so you’re ready for the cold weather to come.
