7 Hacks To Warm Up Your New Build Home Without Cranking Up the Heating
With the cost of living continuing to rise, more and more of us are looking at ways to stay warm and cosy at home without having to shell out a fortune on heating. Fortunately, if you own a new build home, you will already be able to save money on your energy bills compared to re-sale properties. However, you may still want to find ways to warm up your home, especially if you get cold easily! You may have done a quick Google search already to find the only advice is to throw on another jumper or two. While this can provide some benefit, we have many more hacks and answers you can try out that will help keep you comfortable during the colder months.
Utilise your modern boiler
If you have just recently moved into your new build home, then you may not be aware of what your boiler is capable of. Since you will have a new modern boiler, it should be operating at peak efficiency. If you’re unsure how your new boiler works, you could contact the company which built the home or a local plumber who could take a look and provide you with information. You may have an electric boiler that only heats up at certain times of the day. You may be able to change the time it runs, and even increase the temperature itself. It’s good to know just how your new modern boiler works, so you can get more out of it.
While your new boiler should be working, you should do some checks to find out if there are any defects with the boiler. Defective boilers can boost your heating bill enormously, and it can cause other issues further down the line. Your new boiler shouldn’t have an issue, but it’s good to check.
Rearrange furniture
You may not realise it, but the position of your furnishings could be stopping you from getting the most out of your home heating. Something as simple as rearranging your furniture could save you money on energy while keeping you nice and warm in the process. For example, if your sofa is right in front of the radiator, this is inevitably going to stop heat from circulating around the room. Even just a partial blocking can have a big impact on the level of heat omitted.
With that in mind, now may be the perfect time to have a rejig. When you swap furniture around, this could make your room feel more spacious and airy too. Give it a try and see how you get on. If you notice your room feels much warmer, be sure to thank us!
Investigate the insulation situation
While we won’t lie and say this is the cheapest tactic around, making sure your property is properly insulated is essential for keeping your home warm and saving you money. Insulating walls is a crucial part of retaining heat and having a more eco-friendly abode. Your new build home should have quite highly rated insulated walls, but you may be able to do more.
If your new build home has a loft, you should go and take a look at the situation. Compared to re-sale properties, new builds should be highly insulated; an insulated loft helps retain heat. Still, if you aren’t sure what you’re looking for, then you should contact an expert who can take a look and inform you if you need to do anything. One such expert is Free Insulation Scheme, which has free loft insulation grants that can be used to heat your home if needed. Simply enter your details, book a free survey and you’ll find out soon enough whether you qualify for the scheme.
Think about your habits
When temperatures start to dip, you may not think twice about turning the heating on. However, this can be very costly and turn into a habit you could do with breaking. Try and see whether you actually need to switch on the heating or not, especially earlier in the autumn.
If you must switch your heating on, be careful of what temperature you set it to. It’s believed turning your thermostat down by one or two degrees could save you a fortune in energy. Being mindful of this could be all it takes to save you cash which can be spent on better things.
Add rugs
Now it’s time to pay attention to your flooring. If you have uninsulated floors, you can’t be surprised if you’re dealing with heat loss. This is particularly true for bare floors. Wood flooring with considerable gaps between each plank can be a real nuisance. The good news is you can purchase thick rugs that can be put on the floor.
A rug can stop warm air from escaping. Make sure to pick the right-sized rug and one that matches the colour scheme of your room. You can buy non-slip rugs which are great for those who are not good on their feet.
Use curtains
Curtains aren’t just used to black out the room for privacy. The right type of curtain can go a long way in keeping heat firmly indoors. A considerable amount of heat can escape through your home’s windows. Therefore, investing in good-quality thick curtains will stop this problem from getting worse.
Heavier curtains act as a barrier that prevents air from flowing from the window. Thick curtains are great for the summer months too as they stop heat penetration in your home. Make sure to choose the right curtain length – ideally ones that drape onto the floor to keep the heat in.
Staying toasty at home is paramount for your comfort levels and general health. If your home is a little on the frosty side, there are numerous tactics you can try out which could add warmth without the need of paying for more heating. Try any of the above and we hope they help in warming up your home and ensuring you and your loved ones stay nice and snug.