With many still experiencing snow, and temperatures well and truly plummeting, simply cranking up the heating isn’t enough – and could be costing you more than necessary
Did you know that you can lose a lot of heat through your windows? And heat lost equals money lost – you don’t want to be turning the heating on all around your house, only for it all to escape. If that sounds familiar, don’t panic, because help is at hand. “There are lots of handy tricks to keep as much heat in your home as possible,” says Chloe Dacosta, Design Manager at Blinds2go. Here she shares some of her favourites…
Open your windows (yes, open
“Now, this point might sound contradictory but bear with me! Although in general, keeping your windows closed and covered is the best way to retain heat, opening your windows for just 10 minutes a day is a highly recommended tip by experts,” says Chloe.
“It helps to reduce condensation and damp – which are also major culprits for a chilly home – and replaces moist indoor air with drier air, without cooling the entire room too much as it’s only for a short burst.”
Check for draughts
“Heat escapes from gaps around doors and windows — including keyholes, letterboxes, and cat flaps — as well as through chimneys and even floorboards, so it’s always worth checking these areas if your home feels chilly,” says Chloe.
“Complete blackout blinds, like our TotalShade collection, are a great choice for particularly draughty windows as the combination of thermally-insulated fabric and the enclosed frame design make them up to 35% more energy-efficient. Sealing around frames, fitting excluders, blocking unused openings, or popping a rug down on hard floors can help further reduce heat loss and create a warmer, more comfortable environment.” TRY: This stylish Habitat Velour Draught Excluder, £10.
Retire unused rooms
“If you have rooms you’re not using, you can also try closing the curtains and doors and turning the radiators off in these spaces, so you can focus on heating the rest of your home instead,” says Chloe. “This will help to save some pennies. And in rooms you are using, keep the doors propped open at least a little to encourage good circulation of the warm air.”
Know when to open and close your curtains and blinds
“First, although closing your blinds and curtains is a great way to stay toasty, it’s also a good idea to let the sun in when you can, as the solar heat will work wonders for heating up your home,” says Chloe.
“Keep an eye on when and where the sun is shining and alter your blinds or curtains, accordingly – if you have electric blinds, these are perfect as you can easily change your shade levels without having to move from your cosy spot on the sofa.”
Layer up!
“Layering is a hugely popular trend and we’ve seen a big increase in the number of people mixing blinds and curtains for a finished, textured look – but in most cases, the curtains are just there for decoration,” says Chloe. Try these Roman blinds, from £40; and Curtains, from £40, both from Next.
“If you do have layered windows, ensure you’re making the most out of them by closing both layers, as this will essentially double the barriers between your room and the window, helping to further reduce draughts and heat loss.”
