How to Stop Your Heating Bills Going Bang This Winter
With energy companies going bust left, right, and centre, and heating prices going higher than your thermostat, this winter is going to be a dicey time for many.
Keeping warm is a luxury that fewer and fewer can afford. On top of all the lockdowns, loss of lives, lack of job security, and mayhem Covid-19 has caused, the last thing we want is to not be able to be warm inside our own homes.
If you are reluctant to turn your thermostat up to keep you warm, fear not. Check out some low cost ways to stay warm this winter.
Radiators
Radiators emit heat, to keep your rooms warm. But did you know that there is a ‘correct size’ radiator for your room, depending on the size of it?
You may find that the radiator you have is too small for the space it is in, making it inefficient, and having to work harder to keep your space warm? FYI, if a radiator is working harder than it has to, you can bet your bottom dollar its going to cost you more too.
Check here to see if you have the right size radiator for your room, and if not, what size you should have, to get the most out of your rad. Also consider lining the back with foil to bounce heat back into the room.
Close Doors
Radiators are generally placed strategically around the house, to keep a warm flow of air circulating round, and eliminate any cold spots.
However, if you have rooms that you know don’t hold heat well, such as draughty hallways, utility rooms, or spare rooms you seldom use, then simply shut the door. The cold will be kept out, and your thermostat won’t register as cold, meaning it won’t be constantly trying to compensate by keeping rooms warm when they don’t need to be!
Just make sure you air the rooms/ spaces every few days, to stop condensation setting in – that could cause you a whole new issue!
Exercise
I’ve said it a million times, but it doesn’t hurt to say it again. Exercise is brilliant for your physical health as well as your mental health, so even if it is a brisk walk around the block, or running up and down the stairs for 15 minutes, will not only get you in better shape, but it will get blood pumping around your body; which in turn will help keep you warmer, for longer!
Use Blankets
If you are sat in jeans and a t shirt, and you are cold, DO NOT TOUCH THE THERMOSTAT. Get up. Grab a jumper, hoody, scarf, blanket, slippers, or even another person and steal their body heat. No, you don’t want to be able to see your breath indoors, so if it really is that cold, I’d suggest turning your heating up… But a t-shirt in winter? Come on!
Kitchen Appliances
Keeping some rooms warm are easier than others. Kitchens can be a great source of heat. From ovens, slow cookers, tumble dryers, dishwashers, boilers, and any other appliances you have, keeping the room warm can be a doddle, with those running, which means your thermostat wont have to work as hard to keep everywhere else warm.
