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Keeping Out the Cold

  

I awake now each morning and feel the cool night air currents searching for entry in and around my home.

I still haven't made it to the 'it's too cold to get out of bed stage' but I must admit to missing being woken by the glorious rays of the morning sun.

Instead, I am relying upon my alarm and sheer willpower to get up in the dark and start the day, despite the urge to remain snuggled deep within the blankets.

As the outside air temperature cools and the days grow shorter we begin to notice changes in our bodies and our homes.

We suddenly need to use more lighting, we perhaps stay under the shower a little bit longer using water that is hotter than we needed just a few weeks ago. Our clothes need longer to dry and we start to wear more layers.

We now seek out the sun, hoping its more gentle rays will warm us and bring light in through our windows and doors.

Clothing our home for winter will help keep our energy bills more affordable and us healthier and comfortable. Here are a few tips:

1.    During the day open blinds, doors, shutters and curtains to bring in the sun and the light.

2.    Plug up 'infiltration' (remember that is unintentional leakage or draughts) around windows and doors using draught excluders.

Winter draughts can account for up to 25% of heat losses. There are simple and affordable products on the market such as window seals and door snakes that help do the job nicely.

3.      Remember to check the toilet and bathroom windows. They often have a permanent screened opening to enable ventilation. Therefore, closing the door when it is cooler outside and fitting an under door strip will minimise that air flow to the rest of the house

4.      Seal any gaps in walls. Some older homes have wall vents that can be covered over

5.      Cover gaps in timber floors with rugs. If you have easy access under the floor putting a temporary winter underfloor cover will prevent air seeping up from below. Remember this airflow is great in summer so don't make the underfloor cover a permanent fixture.

3.    Exhaust fans will also secrete infiltration. There are products on the market that self seal or you can buy seals for other models (see photo).

4.    Recessed downlights also let in draughts. Consider installing non-recessed lights that don't require larger than necessary holes in the ceiling's thermal barrier.

5.    Many of these recessed lights also use inefficient globes such as halogens. Consider also compact fluorescent light fittings for greater efficiency gains

6.    Heavy curtains on windows and glass doors should be closed as the sun begins to set. They reduce heat loss and with pelmets they will obstruct airflow out of the top

7.    To help reduce heat loss in open plan homes, consider adding doors that can be closed during winter so you can segregate different parts of the house. Some new designs are including fold back walls to allow homes to me modified for different seasons.

Alternatively, you could be creative and use heavy curtains to achieve a similar effect

8.    Close doors to rooms you aren't using and if you need more warmth only heat the rooms you are in

9.    New houses or additions to our homes should be built to minimise draughts. Ensuring your home is built properly, that there are no gaps at any of the joints, and that doors and windows fit in their frames perfectly, will save you well into the future.

10.  Remember that keeping the inside temperature relative to the outside temperature is healthier for our bodies. Try wearing clothing or adding a blanket before turning on an appliance.