Temperature control in the home is one of the most important abilities we have. We need to be kept cool during the summer to stay productive. We need to be kept warm to be comfortable in the winter. Both tasks can feel like they require different strategies and investments, but that is the furthest thing from the truth. Properly insulating your home can work to keep heat out during the summer just as well as it works to keep heat in during the winter.
Of course, it’s a lot easier to simply throw open the windows and doors to encourage a draught than it is to heat your home effectively. After all, one costs nothing, sinceyou’re using the power of nature. The other can rack up your heating bill and still not be enough to keep you warm.
By focussing on improving the heating in your home, you’ll improve your health and wellbeing during winter and make it easier to stay cool in summer. You just need to follow these steps:
1. Improve the Insulation
There are many ways to improve the insulation in your home. Most new homes will come with fairly good insulation to begin with but might be lacking in some areas. If there is a bedroom above the garage, for example, insulating the ceiling of the garage can really help retain heat in that room.
Older homes, however, can be tricky. Having a heat-loss test done on your home to see how much heat is being lost and wherecan help you determine the right insulation improvement for your home.
2. Upgrade Your Windows
You don’t need to have single-pane windows to have poor insulation. Double-glazing will lose its effectiveness over time. This is true for triple-glazing, too. This is because what makes your double glazing effective at keeping the cold (or heat) out is a non-toxic gas trapped between the panes. Over time, this gas will leak out. Thankfully, replacing only the windows is far more budget-friendly than replacing everything, frames included.
3. Upgrade Your Doors
Doors can also be a huge cause of cold getting in. Investing in thicker, more insulated doors can help stop the cold from seeping in.
4. Invest in Proper Curtains
If those two options are out of your budget right now, the next best step is to install thick curtains. You can do this over your doors and windows so that you can close them on particularly cold nights and better insulate your home at a moment’s notice.
5. Install a New Fireplace
Fireplaces are perfect ways to really heat a space and create the ultimate comfort for long winter nights. You can use your old chimney and install a stunning antique fireplace, for example, or you can combine an antique mantel with a new gas or electric fireplace to combine modern with historical features.
There are so many ways you can bring a fireplace into your home and keep your family cozy no matter the temperature, so look into your options today.
6. Use Your Furnishings
Finally, look to carpets, floor runners, blankets, pillows, and even tapestries to help your home retain heat and keep your feet warm. They are a budget-friendly way to keep your house warm and your family comfortable.
