Now that Summer is over, we’re heading into on of the coldest (and festive) times of the year – Winter. There’s no doubt that Winter is a magical season – blankets of white snow, frosted grass and crisp air fill our mornings, and evenings are spent drinking hot chocolate and eating heart warming casseroles and stews. However, there’s always one debate that will cause a bit of friction in every household – when to switch the heating on. So, we’ve come up with a few Winter hacks to help keep your house a little bit warmer during the colder months.
Thinsulate Window Film
Whilst the majority of commercial window film provides energy saving, heat retaining and UV filtering qualities, most window film is not as effective at maintaining or reducing heat all year round. According to The Greenage, windows account for 10% of heat loss in your home. We should mention that one way to solve this is through double glazing, but installing double glazing can be time consuming and financially draining – it can cost a household an average of £5,000 to having double glazing installed on single UPVC (Unplasticized polyvinyl chloride) windows, and definitely is not a cheap or quick fix.
This is where Thinsulate window film comes in. Thinsulate window film requires a quick and easy installation, and is a cheaper and faster alternative to double glazing, as it is a fraction of the price. If your house already has double glazing there will still be a percentage of heat loss through windows which can be decreased by heat retaining window film.
Cover Your Flooring
According to Confused About Energy, 15% of heat loss is through flooring (such as laminate, wooden and tile). Whilst there is the option of getting underfloor heating ( and making your feet feel like they’re being hugged by mini radiators) this solution is neither cheap nor a quick fix to reducing energy costs and keeping your home warm. Placing a few rugs and square carpets will help to reduce heat loss via flooring, and give your house a homely atmosphere.
Alongside this, it will act as a barrier between cold flooring and bare feet. Cold flooring and bare feet are the thing of nightmares, which is why you should consider in fluffy socks and slippers. A good pair of fluffy socks can solve many of life’s problems, whilst making you feel super cosy.
Hot Water Bottles
There is something incredibly comforting and homely about a hot water bottle, and they are perfect for keeping you warm at night during the colder months. A good quality hot water bottle will retain heat for the majority of the night, and the water can be reused to water the plants, or stored to reheat for the next night.
A hot water bottle can cost anyway between £3 – £100 (if you’re into cashmere covers), and is perfect for warming you up after going out into the cold. They’re also great for soothing muscle pain and stomach aches. It is important to mention that you should never fill a hot water bottle with boiling water and make sure you’ve followed the instructions to avoid any injuries.
Buy a Draught Excluder
15% of heat loss is felt through doors and icy drafts making their way in from the gaps in the door. Draught Excluders (or door snakes if you have kids) are an excellent way to retain heat and stop those chilly blasts making their way into your home. Placing them in front of your back door and front door will block any cold air seeping through, as well as preventing any warmth escaping, therefore keeping your house warm and cosy.
A draught excluder costs as little as £5, or can be made from scratch with re-purposed materials. Making a DIY draught excluder means you can get your creative socks on and get festive with the style. You can also create animals and many other awesome themed draught excluders.
Layers!
Before you even consider switching the heating on, you should put on a jumper and a pair of socks. A thick jumper can make you 4°C warmer, potentially removing the need to switch the heating on. If you’re wearing three jumpers, a coat, five pairs of socks and a woolly hat then it is time to put the heating on. However, if you’re sat in shorts and a T-Shirt with the heating on, then the heating should not be on at all.
At Guardian Window Films, we’re passionate about finding the right window films for you. You can have a look at our Energy Saving Window Film here. If you have any questions do not hesitate to get in touch.