A warm and comfortable home is not only good for our health and wellbeing, but it's good for the environment too. Insulating your home can help reduce the Island’s overall emissions, and help you have a warmer home, and save money on bills.
Here are some simple solutions to help save money on your bills and keep warm this winter.
Doors
Shutting doors and closing windows may not be enough as any gaps in the frames allow warm air to escape - and that costs money, but by simply adding a draught excluder - or even a rolled-up towel - the draughts can be blocked. It is important to make sure the draught excluder covers the width of the door.
You can always try to make a draught excluder and decorate one yourself!
Windows
Every opening window in your home has a gap around the edge that should seal tight when the window is fully closed. Cold air can blow through the gap if the seal isn't good enough, and warm air can blow out. Old or poorly fitted windows can have gaps around the frame or glass even if they don't open.
The Energy Saving Trust says it is worth getting some heavy curtains to help keep the heat in the room, or a thin plastic sheet to cover the window helps block draughts too.
Draught-proofing an existing door or window is relatively straightforward, provided you use the suitable materials for each job. You can employ a professional to choose the right products and fit them correctly, or you can buy your own and do them yourself.
Loft
The BBC puts it in simple words: "insulating your loft is like wearing a woolly hat - trapping the warmth below to keep you cosy".
Find out how you can insulate your loft.
Radiator
You can get the most out of your radiator by fitting reflector panels behind your radiator. This can reflect 95% of the heat energy radiated from the rear of your radiator back into the room.
Another piece of advice to save energy is not leaving clothes on your radiators, as this can restrict how far the heat can travel. Similarly, if you have a sofa or table blocking your radiator, you won't feel the full potential that your radiator has to offer.
A few more tips
The Eco-Experts blog recommends "heating the humans, not the building" by
- Putting lids on pots and pans when cooking.
- Using a microwave to reheat food rather than the oven.
- Don't overfill the kettle.
- Putting on an extra layer if you are cold; several thin layers of clothing will keep you warmer than one thick layer, as the layers trap warm air between them.
Sources
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-58913875
https://www.theecoexperts.co.uk/blog/unusual-ways-to-save-energy-at-home
https://www.netzero.im/take-action/home-energy/
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