WALLET-FRIENDLY WARMERS

KEEP MORE OF YOUR PENNIES IN YOUR POCKET OVER THE COMING WINTER WITH THESE SEVEN WAYS TO HELP STAY SNUG ON A BUDGET

Words SHELLEY TUSTIN

You’ve given up your takeaway coffee and avocado toast, but the one thing you shouldn’t have to sacrifice – rising cost of living or not – is a warm and cosy home. Read on for smart upgrades and clever hacks designed to maximise the benefits of your indoor heating this winter, without blowing out the bills.

Hues such as burnt orange and deep tan can add to the feeling of warmth in a light and spacious room

Upgrade insulation

As Guy Manthel of Knauf Insulation explains, when a home is well insulated, heat is prevented from escaping through the walls, roof and other surfaces. “So less energy is required to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature,” he says (see table, below).

Not sure whether your insulation needs updating? Firstly, consider that older homes may not have any insulation at all! Secondly, look at your energy bills. “Consistently high bills could be a sign that your insulation – if you have it – is no longer performing effectively,” says Guy. “If it is no longer doing its job, your heating and cooling systems will have to work harder to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature, which can drive up your energy bills.” An uneven temperature is another clue – having some rooms significantly cooler than others can signal poorly installed or ineffective insulation.

Updating your insulation may be an achievable DIY job, particularly in the ceiling (see Watch it!, next page).

“When retrofitting ceiling insulation, it’s important to choose a product with a suitable R-value – a measure of insulation’s resistance to heat flow – for the specific location, and ensure it is installed correctly,” advises Guy.

Unless you’re doing an extensive reno, retrofitting wall insulation can be complex. If you have access to the ceiling and underfloor, Guy suggests insulating these first, using the highest R-value possible for the ceiling to help compensate for uninsulated areas.

TYPICAL ENERGY SAVINGS DUE TO INSULATION*

Plug the draughts

No matter how effective your heating system, if your home is riddled with draughts, you might as well be pointing the heater outside. To find the most likely culprits, close all windows and doors, turn off appliances that might create a breeze, then light a candle and – very carefully! –hold it near the window and door frames, running it up and down, watching for a flicker in the flame.

The most common draughts can be simply fixed with a few cheap DIY tools. Using a caulking gun and gap filler, you can quickly fill cracks between the walls and window or door frames, and even between timber floorboards. Adhesive weather seal tape can be applied around window and door frames, where the wind often whistles in. Seal the bottom of exterior doors by installing a door sweep or utilising an old-fashioned door snake.

Treat your windows

Even after sealing any gaps, your windows are still likely to be the greatest heat thief in your home, especially if you don’t have double glazing. However, there is a range of window treatments that can make a big difference. Shutters are really efficient insulators and are also good for light control, but they’re not the most affordable option.

Curtains are a more cost-effective solution. Maddy Porter, of Smart Home Products, says when choosing curtains it’s important to consider the fabric type. “For maximum insulation and protection against cold drafts, we recommend you opt for blockout curtains,” she says. “Blockout fabric is designed to retain warmth and prevent air infiltration, helping to keep your interior spaces cosy and comfortable.” Look for extra width in your curtain rail as well, so the curtains extend beyond the window frame, which can help prevent heat sneaking out through the sides.

Still feeling a chill? Heat may be escaping through the top of the curtain rail – this is why many homes have pelmets above the curtains. For a quick fix, try this hack: roll up a towel and place it on top of the curtains to plug the gap.

Let the sunshine in

If you’re interested in heating your home for free – and who isn’t? – harness the power of the sun. Passive solar energy simply requires that you allow sunlight in at the right time of day. Open the curtains during the day for free heat, soak up the rays and let them boost your mood along with increasing the temperature. Then – and this is the crucial bit – close the curtains before sunset to lock in the warmth and prevent the chill creeping in. Loving that free heat? Consider a future investment in a solar hot water system. Heating water accounts for up to a quarter of an average home’s energy usage, while a solar system preheats the water, slashing bills and eventually paying for itself. You may also be eligible for government rebates**.

Keep in mind...

6 5

Make a fanfare

It sounds counter-intuitive, but your ceiling fan can actually help heat your home. Check if your fan has a reverse or ‘winter’ mode. On most models, this changes the fan direction to clockwise which, when operated at a low speed, pulls cooler air upwards and moves warm air that has collected near the ceiling back down to where you need it.

Create personal heat

There’s no point in heating the house if you don’t need to. When there’s a chill in the air, put on a jumper or reach for a throw. A wearable electric blanket is particularly handy for those who feel the cold more than most – snuggle up on the sofa or at your desk and plug yourself in to instant heat. Bliss! And don’t forget about tried-and-tested solutions like a good oldfashioned hot water bottle – or a snuggly cat or dog!

Get The Most From Your Heater

Turn it down: Set the temperature to between 18 and 22 degrees Celsius – any higher is not necessary. Do what your mother told you to do and put on a jumper and warm socks. Time it right: Rather than blasting the heater at max temp when you come home, set it on a timer to turn on 15 minutes before your expected return. Or, if it’s wi-fi connected, switch it on using your smartphone on the way home! Switch it off: Turn the heater off when you’re not in the room and don’t leave it on overnight. If you do need all-night heating, lower the temperature to 16 to 18 degrees Celsius. Use a fan: Electric heaters aren’t the most efficient option, but you can boost their effectiveness by switching on the fan function. No fan function? Point a small desk fan at the heater, which will help to distribute the heat throughout the room. Give a full service: Maintain heaters to keep them running at peak efficiency. Clean filters regularly, have the reverse cycle air con serviced professionally, and the chimney and/or flue swept annually if you’re running a wood burner.

CHANGE OF SEASON, CHANGE YOUR REFILL

Rug up

Timber boards or floor tiles that feel so deliciously cool in summer can get a bit too cold in winter. And those gaps between floorboards can be a source of draughts. The answer is rugs! Not only are they fantastic insulators, rugs will also give you a lovely soft surface underfoot. And the bigger the better – the more floor you can cover, the better insulated your room will be.

Wool is said to be the best insulating material, while a shaggy rug feels delightfully cosy. But what you most want is thickness. If your rugs are thin, try using more than one and layering them (see from page 15) or bulking them up with a felt rug pad.

The funky design of Scandia’s ‘Edge 50’ wood fire suits both classic and contemporary homes