A Quick Guide To Keeping Warm This Winter

Article Written By: bythesea

Winter is a costly time of year, no doubt about it: aside from all the expense of Christmas there is the issue of energy bills to contend with. Darker days mean that the lights are on earlier and longer; colder weather means that it's time to crank up the central heating.

However, there's absolutely no sense in blasting the heating in your home if the energy you are expending is disappearing into the ether and failing to keep you warm - you'll face eye-wateringly high bills with little in the way of warmth to show for it.

There are other, more frightening reasons than those relating to your bank balance that should urge you to ensure your home is efficiently heated this winter, with the NHS estimating that 25,000 - 30,000 deaths are linked to cold weather each year in the UK. Old people, babies, children and those on low incomes are particularly vulnerable. And of course, environmental concerns also come into play: energy efficiency is a key factor in protecting our world for future generations.

Here are some simple steps you can follow to ensure that you and your loved ones stay toasty this winter:

1. Draw the curtains at dusk and ensure that your chosen curtain fabric is reasonably thick - this will minimise draughts and hinder heat escaping through the windows.

2. Place draught excluders at doors - there are plenty of pretty and novelty options available, allowing you to combine style and function.

3. Set your thermostat to come on at a lower temperature before you get up rather than turning it on to high when you arise, so that you don't have to wait for your house to heat up - likewise for when you come home from work or the school run.

4. Don't place furniture in front of radiators if you can help it as it blocks the heat from circulating around the room. By the same token, avoid drying washing on radiators.

5. Insulation of lofts, wall cavities and hot water cylinders might constitute larger projects, but ones that will improve your home's energy efficiency over the long term.

6. Layer up - wearing several thin layers of clothing will reduce your need to turn up the thermostat. Other tips include staying active - no matter how tempting it is to spend all day on the sofa, your body needs to move around to stay warm - staying hydrated with water and hot drinks and having at least one proper meal a day (three is better!).

7. You can use a heat pillow or hot water bottle to warm up your bed before you get into it.

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