High energy bills are as predictable as Christmas over the winter, but there are several strategies that homeowners can adopt to improve thermal efficiency and keep the house warm and cosy, without breaking the bank. So to avoid getting a cold shiver next time a utility bill drops through your letterbox, consider investing in the following home improvements:
1) Invest In New Double-Glazed Windows
Windows are a weak spot in many homes, allowing heat to escape through the glass and gaps around the windowpanes. Investing in new double glazed or even triple glazed windows is therefore an excellent way to insulate your home and reduce your energy bills, while also keeping out noise pollution. Double glazed windows have two layers of glass (triple glazed windows have three), each separated by a gap filled with inert air or gas, which acts as a barrier against heat loss. This helps keep your house warmer in winter and cooler in summer. Although upgrading your windows can be expensive, there are often finance deals available to spread the cost, and you’ll normally make up the savings in lower energy bills within a few years.
2) Upgrade Your Conservatory to a Solid Roof
Upgrading your conservatory with a solid roof can turn your conservatory into a space that can be enjoyed all year round, and the improved thermal efficiency will reduce the cost of heating the conservatory over winter. While a traditional glazed conservatory roof allows a lot of light in, they also let out a lot of heat, rendering many conservatories unusable in winter. At Harveys, we offer a variety of solid roof systems from Ultraframe that are compatible with most conservatories and orangery extensions, with stylish panelled roof and tiled roof options to suit the style of your home and personal preferences. Drop by our Leicester showroom to find out more.
3) Invest in a New Front Door
A lot of heat can escape your home through an inefficient front door, so investing in a new front door is a great way of improving your home insulation, especially if your door leads directly into your kitchen. Old, damaged, or poorly insulated doors can also let in a lot of cold air, forcing your central heating system to work harder to keep your home warm. At Harveys, we offer a range of energy efficient UPVC and composite front doors that not only help to keep your house warm, but also improve your home security.
4) Draught-Proof Your Windows, Doors, and Chimney
Draught proofing is one of the most cost-effective ways to save on heating bills and improve the comfort of your home in winter and involves sealing any unwanted gaps around the window frames and doors that let cold air in and warm air out. Self-adhesive foam strips, or metal or plastic strips, can be used to seal gaps around window frames, and are cheap and easy to purchase. Windows aren’t the only culprits for letting in draughts, either. Loft hatches, your chimney breast, letterboxes, and even outward facing keyholes also often benefit from draught proofing. If you have a chimney but don’t use your fireplace often, installing a chimney balloon inside the chimney will help block drafts when the fire is not in use, and can be deflated when you want to use the fireplace again. Draught excluders under internal doors can also help conserve heat within individual rooms.
5) Insulate Your Hot Water Tank and Radiators
A well-insulated hot water tank will keep the water hot for longer, saving money on gas when you use your boiler. This is easily achieved through a hot water tank jacket, which wraps snugly around the tank and is secured in place with the straps provided. We recommend purchasing one that is at least 75 mm thick. Likewise, the efficiency of your radiators can be improved through installing radiator foil behind each radiator, which reflects heat back into the room that would otherwise be lost into the wall materials. Most foils can be cut to size and installed easily yourself through adhesive tape or wallpaper paste.
Find Out More
More information about saving energy and improving home insulation can be found on the Energy Saving Trust website. If you’d like to find out more about the savings that come from a solid conservatory roof, or new windows or doors, please get in touch with one of our team by clicking here or visit our Leicester showroom to view our range in person.
