Tips to Keep Warm This Winter: from The Mandurah Experts

Allow the Air to Flow

It may be tempting to move the couch as close as possible to the heater, however this can restrict the flow of hot air around your home. It’s a good idea to understand how warm air moves around your home and to make sure nothing is blocking it. This will help you to get the most out of your heat source. To ensure your heat source is efficient as possible, close doors to the rooms you’re not using and only heat the rooms you and your family will be in. There isn’t any point in heating rooms that aren’t being used. This will save energy and money, while making the most out of your heating source.

Seal Gaps and Cracks

A lot of heat is lost through cracks and gaps around doors and windows. Try to identify where draughts are coming from and seal them up. This is an easy DIY project, and most of the products you will need can be found at your local hardware shop. Some of the products that you may find handy include:

1. Caulk or silicone seal 2. Door snakes 3. Weather seal tape 4. Brush door seals 5. Storm-proof seals 6. Door draught strips

Door draught strips are a great place to start, especially if you’re renting. These are foam or rubber strips with an adhesive backing which can be installed around the inside of the door frame or window.

Insulating Your Home

During winter, up to 35% of heat is lost through the roof in uninsulated homes. Not only does insulation keep your home cool in summer, it helps to keep it warm during the colder months. Insulating the ceiling, walls and floors can save hundreds on energy bills each year. Although insulation is best done during construction, insulation can be installed easily in most existing homes by a professional.

Carpets and Rugs

Similar to insulation, using carpet and rugs on hard floors is a great way to reduce heat loss. Anything that you can put between you and the cold floor will make a big difference. So, covering hard floors with rugs is an efficient way to increase your home heating efficiency.

Hanging Curtains

Around 40% of heat is lost through windows, and just like we use curtains to keep the hot sun out in summer, curtains are great for reducing heat loss in the winter. To get the most out of your curtains, consider adding a pelmet. This will stop the warm air from escaping through the top of the windows.

Ceiling Fans

If you have ceiling fans you can use these to reduce heat loss. By turning your ceiling fans on to reverse this makes them spin anti-clockwise; and since warm air rises, it will push warm air back down where you want it.

Layer Up

It may be tempting to crank up the heat in winter and walk around in a t-shirt, however this can end up costing a lot in energy use over time. You may want to wear thermals or wrap yourself in a warm blanket. However, layering clothes is a good solution. The type of fabric you choose can make a big difference. Some of the warmest fabrics include:

1. Flannel 2. Wool 3. Silk 4. Fleece

Natural fabrics are ideal to wear as the first layer in winter. Wool and silk are breathable and will help keep you warm while not overheating your body. Fleece and flannel are good for winter as well, but as a top layer. It’s best not to wear them directly against your skin as they don’t breathe. They can cause sweating and become uncomfortable, and as the body cools, you end up feeling cold.

Use a Humidifier

Humidity plays a role in how warm the room feels. A cold and dry day feels a lot colder than a day at the same temperature with 80% humidity in the air. Using a humidifier adds moisture to the air and can help the room feel warmer. If you don’t have a humidifier, you can boil a large pot of water on the stove, turn it off and leave it there to circulate moisture into the air.

Electric Blanket

An electric blanket is a cheap way to keep warm during winter. On average they cost about four cents per hour to run. If you’re concerned about the safety of electric blankets, make sure to get one with an overheat protection sensor. Electric blankets are very safe when in use according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Efficient Heating

There are a few heating choices, both electric and gas that you can choose from. Your choice of heating will depend on a few factors such as space, type of home, budget and the amount of people in your home. Gas heating is a very efficient choice and many people prefer this option over electric heating. Gas heating runs on natural gas and although it produces small amounts of waste products including, carbon monoxide and water vapour, gas heaters are designed to deal with these waste products effectively. Another energy efficient option is reverse cycle air conditioning Mandurah. Split systems are cheap to install and run. You will also get the benefit of using them during summer. Split systems are effective for single rooms or smaller spaces; however, they are efficient to run and provide a good heating solution during winter.

Maintenance

Air conditioning Mandurah understands the importance of regular professional maintenance. To ensure you stay warm this winter, consider having your air conditioning unit serviced before the cold kicks in. Regular maintenance will keep your system running efficiently and reduce the risk of a costly breakdown when you need it most.