Moving into a new home sure is an exciting prospect. Unless, of course, you are moving into a freezer, not literally. If you are buying a property in winter, it is essential that you make sure everything is warm as can be from the get go.
Settling into a new home in winter: keeping it warm
Once you have settle on a property and are moving in, what steps do you need to take to save some money during the chillier months?
The first thing to check is your hot water. Hot water heating makes up most of you home power bill.
- Check your tap and shower slows, Ensure you are not letting money flow down the drain.
- Set the your hot water cylinder at 60 degrees celsius and the tap at no hotter than 55 degrees celsius. It should be hot enough to prevent Legionella bacteria growing, but not so hot that it scalds you when you simply want to freshen up with a shower. This also prevents water bills from escalating during the winter months.
- Important but one everyone forgets, take a shorter shower. It will make a difference because shorter showers means long term savings for utilities.
Look to upgrade your curtain.
- Whether or not the property will come with curtains will depend on the terms of the contract of sale, so have a look over this first.
- Invest in thermal backed curtains: thermal curtains have an acrylic coating that ensures your home says toasty during winter. They are versatile, and also keep the house cool during summer.
- Make sure that these curtains are appropriately fitted to the window frame.
Thought about installing insulation
- A well insulated home can prevent damp air from entering your home and therefore making it warmer.
Prevent drafts
- Fill in the gaps and cracks: Gaps in windows and doors can account for 15-20 percent heat loss in your home. Seal up any gaps or cracks in walls and reinstall weather stripping.
- Invest in double glazed windows: About 40 percent of heat energy escapes via the windows, so try to upgrade to double glazed windows.
