As a nation, we are currently navigating our way through an unprecedented energy crisis. Winter has arrived, and as temperatures start to drop, you may normally reach for the thermostat to ensure your home feels cosy. However, over the last 12 months, energy prices have soared, with the average annual bill increasing from £1,042 to £2,500 under the UK Government’s Energy Price Guarantee. As a result of this, National Energy Action predicts that 6.7 million households are currently experiencing fuel poverty in the UK.
It’s important that your home is warm and comfortable throughout the colder months - but with energy prices rising, you may be looking for ways to keep your space feeling snug while keeping your bills as low as possible.
The good news is, there are a number of easy, affordable ways you can improve your home to ensure you keep warm this winter - and you don’t need to be particularly handy either. For our latest Brandon Hire Station campaign, we’ve compiled a selection of simple DIY tips you can put into practice without breaking the bank. Keep reading to find out more.
Keep warm DIY Tips
Click on the icons room-by-room to find out how you can prep your home for winter.
Draught-proof your windows
Did you know that a typical house can lose up to 10% of its heat through the windows? Cracks between the window frames and the surrounding walls can mean that warm air escapes and cold air seeps in. Luckily, there are ways you can improve the efficiency of your windows without needing to replace them entirely.
Draught-proofing your windows is relatively easy. For example, applying self-adhesive foam tape around the frame can help prevent cold air from coming through, as well as concealing the heat inside your home. As a result, you should find that you don’t need to turn your heating on, or as high, which in turn can help keep your energy costs low.
It’s also a good idea to check the silicone sealant around your windows in your bathroom. The silicone can deteriorate over time, allowing cold air to enter your home. Resealing the frame edges to fill any gaps or cracks can prevent heat from escaping.
Pay attention to your boiler and radiators
Your boiler and radiators play a key role in keeping you warm and cosy during the colder months, so it’s important that you pay attention to them.
Generally speaking, it’s important to have your boiler serviced annually. This will ensure it is safe and in good working order so that it runs efficiently in heating your home. While having your boiler serviced means having to pay a qualified engineer to carry out the inspection, it could end up costing you even more in the long run if you don’t have this appliance checked each year.
It’s a good idea to check your radiators too. If they are not as warm as they should be, or if they only heat up in certain areas, this could indicate that they are not working as they should. Bleeding your radiators should solve this problem.
Do you have any DIY tips or tricks up your sleeve that have helped warm your home while keeping costs down? Share your ideas using #KeepWarmInAnEnergyCrisis.
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