Sustainable ways to keep your home warm in winter

Winter is just around the corner, so we have put together some tips to keep your home warm while also keeping your energy bill down. 

1. Keep the heat in

Windows provide us with so many benefits such as natural daylight, and a quaint view. But during the winter months, they become holes in the sides of our homes, letting out all our coveted heat. The best fix for this is curtains - essentially insulation for our windows. But don't leave curtains closed 24/7. Open your curtains and blinds during the day to let the winter sunshine in and warm up your home naturally. Then at night, close all curtains and blinds to keep this warmth in. You can buy thick fabric curtains for extra warmth and insulation.  

2. Seal up the gaps

To keep cold draughts and wind out of your home, make sure any gaps in your floors, windows, doors and walls are filled with putty or sealants (which you can buy at your local Bunnings). So if you want to start saving money and staying warm this winter, plug up these energy-wasting gaps, holes and cracks sooner rather than later. Click here for some tips on how to do this. 

3. Cover floors

You can rug yourself up with blankets and slippers, but you can also 'rug up' your cold tiles or wooden floors. Cover your cold floors with a plush rug to help insulate a room. Rugs have a similar insulation effect as curtains and will help to keep the heat in – they'll keep your feet warm too if your slippers have gone astray! 

4. Close your doors

Close the doors to unused rooms when you enter and exit, so warm air is kept in the rooms you are actually using. If you are watching TV in your lounge room, close all doors leading to this area to keep the space warm and cosy. Consider putting a towel underneath the door to stop the airflow even more for better insulation. Closing off unused rooms can significantly reduce your energy bill, depending on how well the room is sealed off.  

5. Install or top up your roof insulation

Insulation in your roof provides a great barrier to heat flowing into and out of your home. It can help keep your home naturally warmer in the winter months and cooler in summer, making it the perfect solution for year-round comfort. Insulation is costly to install, but it could reduce your energy bill by up to 50%, so is worth investing in! 

Source: reiwa.com.au