Every time we watch the news, we are reminded about the cost of our energy bills and the likely increases over the next year. At the moment, it might not seem too bad, however, the weather has been warm, the sun has been out and our homes are warm and cosy.
In 2 months' time, it will be mid-October, the evenings will be dark and our homes in Scotland will start to feel a bit colder. Most of us will be tempted to switch on the heating, even if it is only for an hour or 2. From then until at least March or April we will be using more and more energy to keep our homes and ourselves warm. And this year it is likely to cost us double that of last year or even more!
So what can we do?
The first thing to do is to keep the thermostat lower and wear extra layers instead. When sitting still in the evening watching a film or the TV, have a blanket or throw handy to snuggle up with. Normally, many people would keep warm by drinking lots of hot drinks but this year boiling the kettle every hour or so is going to cost much more too.
If you really don't want to switch on the heating but are finding you are getting chilly, then try some exercise to get warm for a while. You could do some housework, run up and down the stairs, or even do a home workout.
Realistically, we will be switching on the heating as it is cold in Scotland. So what else can we do to reduce our heating bills?
- If there are rooms you don't use often, either switch off the radiator in that room or turn it down to the lowest setting.
- Close your blinds or curtains in the evening to keep the cold out and the warmth in.
- Fix any draughts around your windows and doors
This is the time to repair, upgrade or replace your windows. Yes, it might be a big investment, but it will make a big difference to your heating bills if you currently live in a draughty house.
If you live in an old period home with wooden sash and case or casement windows, they may just need some repairs. A good company will be able to fix rotting wood, fix draughts and even upgrade the glazing to double glazed. In Edinburgh, Eco Sash & Case provides a great sash window repair service.
If you decide to buy new windows ensure they are A-rated and at least double glazed. Some companies can also offer triple glazing. At Eco Windows & Doors in Edinburgh, we supply only the best double glazed windows. Our most popular windows are uPVC windows, but we can also supply aluminium windows and timber windows.
Are your doors old and draughty? A draught excluder at your front door may help but if you are getting new windows it may be the time to replace your doors too.
Find out if you can get a grant for insulation or new windows. There are a number of schemes that may be able to help you.
