Winter is all about coats and boots and hot chocolate and Christmas… and higher energy bills! With the heating on for the most part of the day, hot water needed at all times and the lights being switched on as early as 5 pm, it is no surprise that heating and electricity bills soar through the roof during winter. Here are a few tips for a more energy-efficient home (or office/ factory) this winter.
- Check your heat exchangers are working
Ok, so if you don’t know what a heat exchanger is or does, read more about it here. But you do have a heat exchanger in your home, and if you want to be energy-efficient this winter, it is essential to check that it is in order and working to it’s best capacity.
If you own a factory or industry, you will want to conserve energy (and save money) there as well. Your best bet would be to invest in a shell and tube heat exchanger.
- Is your house insulated well enough?
We often invest in the best heaters and energy-efficient plans, but insulation is one aspect we tend to gloss over? How many of us even check the insulation of a property when buying it? It’s not just essential to check the wall insulation, but also worth checking to see if the roof is adequately insulated. There is no point in warming up your house when the warmth won’t stay in!
- Are your windows properly sealed?
Another common thing we overlook during winter. Boiler working – check. Heating – check. Hot water – check. Insulation – check. Yet, we feel a draft of cold air in the room, which makes us turn the heating even higher, resulting in higher bills.
Check to see if your windows (and doors) are properly sealed because if there are gaps, the cold air from outside will enter through them, nullifying whatever heat is in the room.
- Keep your heating on at all times
While this might sound contrary to saving energy, what we mean is keep your heating on at a consistent low temperature, even when you’re not in the house or when it’s not very cold. Your boiler consumes the most energy when trying to reach a high temperature from a cold one, so keeping it at a comfortable temperature throughout the winter means it won’t need to work extra hard every time you turn the heating on.
- Wind and solar power
If you have the resources and the finances and are looking for a more eco-friendly and long-term solution, consider switching to wind and/ solar energy systems. These will save you plenty of money spent on energy and electricity in the long run, and, you’ll be using a natural resource, so that’s an added benefit.
- Wrap up warm
This point is more about common sense than about installing the latest gadget to keep you snug and warm through the winter. Wrap up warm with a cosy jumper or fleece, keep your feet snug in woolly socks and cover up with a blanket – you will automatically feel warmer and won’t need to increase the temperature on your thermostat. It’s the small things that make a big difference.
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