Wasn’t much of a summer, was it?
Despite breaking a temperature record, the UK summer could best be described as a one week flash in the pan, amongst an otherwise dreary, rain splashed season. We are now well into autumn, and while September hasn’t been bad at all compared to previous years, the day is fast approaching when the weather truly takes a turn for the worst, and heating your home will once again become the norm.
However, this isn’t as simple as flicking a switch and being in a comforting warmth until spring arrives, especially if you want to A) avoid damage, and B) keep heat loss to a minimum. A little bit of preparation has to go into preparing your home for autumn. Here are a few steps you may wish to take before the cold snap arrives to ensure you’ll have a warm and cosy winter.
Start on the outside
Whilst some dying summer sun is sticking around, it is best to get the outside work done first. First and foremost, you have to check your gutters. This may not be an obvious place to start – after all, why would water drainage effect your heating at all? Well, in truth, this preventative measure may not directly effect your heating bill, but it can affect a whole lot more.
If clogs are formed by the mounds of leaves and other debris in your gutters, this can form ice blockages when the cold weather arrives. This, in turn, can cause water to seep back into your home. Should that freeze, it can cause massive damage, and that in turn could make your home much colder than it otherwise would have been. So take action now to prevent this.
While you’re outside, you also should check for any exterior cracks or holes that have formed over the year. Even small holes can affect energy efficiency, so spotting and resealing them can help greatly.
Insulation, insulation, insulation
The biggest cause of rising energy bills? Poor insulation. Houses are susceptible to all manner of heat loss. Common escape routes include
- The roof
- Panel gaps
- Windows and doors
All of these can also be reinsulated fairly cheaply. Seeking out the gaps in your door and window frames won’t be hard with autumnal winds blowing around, and sealing them is just as easy – many cheap temporary adhesive strips are available to plug the holes. Window panes can also be turned to your advantage. Double glazing is great, but you can further prevent heat loss by coating them with heat reflecting film. This is practically invisible if installed correctly, so you’ll be gaining a great boost to your heat retention abilities without drawback.
Roofs aren’t as cheap to insulate, but are by far the best way to save money long term. Insulating an attic or loft space can cost quite a bit, but tend to see a return on investment within a few years. You may have to pay out a large sum, but the long term savings make it a very viable option.
Turn technology to your advantage
The fireplace and your central heating systems have likely lay dormant for a while. Before it becomes necessary to have them on constantly, you need to test that nothing has gone ary in the spring and summer. So turn them on, and see that they are functioning. The fireplace has likely accumulated a lot of dust, so give it a clean first. Any leaks or necessary repairs can be addressed, or new models can be brought, before it becomes a real problem as autumn turns to winter.
There is also a nifty trick you can try with your ceiling fan. Making it turn it in the opposite direction forces warm air down, instead of cold air. This will help the warm air circulate, bringing an nice even temperature to the whole room.
Put these tips into practice, and you’ll have a stress free time keeping your home warm this upcoming autumn and winter.