Ten top tips for keeping your home cosy this Christmas

With Yuletide beckoning and the promise of frost-filled festivities on the horizon, we’ve gathered some of our top tips for keeping your home cosy for less this Christmas. January’s energy price hikes are threatening, so here are some great ideas to get those bills down, before the price cap is increased next month. 

1 Insulation

It might sound obvious but wrapping your house up, in the bricks and mortar equivalent of a big woolly jumper, is one of the best ways to keep heat inside and prevent wasted energy. Proper insulation can make all the difference. You can talk to a builder about insulating your walls, roof, and floors to prevent heat loss. Most British homes have double-glazed windows and doors, but if you’re struggling with planning permission due to being in a listed property, there are some great options now on the market. 

2 Use a programmable thermostat

By installing a programmable thermostat to control your heating, you can set your ideal temperature for each room in your home and reduce heat loss in uninhabited areas of the house. 

3 Maintain and service your boiler regularly 

Ensure your boiler is well-maintained by scheduling regular check-ups. A well-maintained boiler operates more efficiently, saving energy and reducing the risk of breakdowns. With Christmas coming up, boiler services can get forgotten, so don’t get caught out this year. No one wants to be watching the King’s speech in their thermals, right?! You could even take the hassle out of this altogether by getting  Boiler Cover, which gives you a free annual boiler service and total peace of mind, in case your boiler does go bust.

4 Draught-proof your home

Similar to insulation, sealing gaps and cracks around doors, windows, and other openings can do wonders for keeping your home warm. By preventing cold air from entering and warm air from escaping, draught-proofing is a very cost-effective way to improve energy efficiency and keep your home cosy.

5 Use curtains and rugs

Thick curtains and rugs act as additional insulation by preventing heat loss through windows and floors. Some blinds or curtains come with an additional layer of thermal insulation. By closing curtains or blinds at night, heat is prevented from being lost via the glass panes in your windows.  

6 Fit reflective radiator panels 

Again, a simple and very cost-effective way of keeping your home warm. Fit reflective panels behind your radiators to reflect heat back into the room, rather than letting it be absorbed by the walls. A lot of 1930s housing stock was built with single layer brick walls, which although standing the test of time, means that these homes can lose heat more easily. 

7 Feng shui

Alright, so it’s not exactly feng shui, but by arranging your furniture so it doesn’t block radiators, you ensure that heat is able to circulate freely around the room.

8 Use timers

If you do have any electric heating in your home, or use small oil radiators, make sure to activate the timer settings for these appliances and for safety, always make sure they’re turned off overnight.  

9 Invest in energy-efficient appliances

When it’s time to replace an old boiler, opt for an energy-efficient model. This investment can lead to long-term energy savings, not to mention doing your bit for the UK’s carbon footprint. If your boiler is starting to feel its age, give our team a call to discuss some suitable options for updating your old banger to a lean, green, heating machine. 

10 Consider a biomass boiler

Boilers, like the rest of the world, are going through a green revolution of their own. There are some viable renewable options available, such as biomass boilers, which can be cheaper to run and reduce your reliance on traditional fuels.

 

So there you have it. Our top ten tips for keeping your home warm, safe and solvent this Christmas. Happy holidays!

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