How to Winter-Proof Your Home & Reduce Heating Costs
Let these tips be your checklist to a warm and snug nest for hibernating this winter
Winter is here. As important as it is to guard our bodies against cold temperatures, it is also important to prepare our homes for the mercury drop. Here are six steps to safeguard your home against the winter that will also, in turn, lower your heating bills at large.
2. Insulate the walls and roof
This is a comprehensive job with equally comprehensive benefits. Poorly insulated buildings are difficult to cool in the summers and difficult to heat in the winter. Insulation helps in maintaining a pleasant indoor temperature, irrespective of the climate outside. In winter, this considerably reduces heating load and adds to the energy-efficiency of the structure.
Glass wool, cotton and foam are a few commonly used insulating materials for walls and polystyrene (thermocol) is best suited for insulating roofs from the interior.
If you are considering an insulating job at your home, take help from this information palette on Building Insulation, a bulletin by Indian Green Building Council. It is always good to hire professionals for planning and executing such tasks.
This is a comprehensive job with equally comprehensive benefits. Poorly insulated buildings are difficult to cool in the summers and difficult to heat in the winter. Insulation helps in maintaining a pleasant indoor temperature, irrespective of the climate outside. In winter, this considerably reduces heating load and adds to the energy-efficiency of the structure.
Glass wool, cotton and foam are a few commonly used insulating materials for walls and polystyrene (thermocol) is best suited for insulating roofs from the interior.
If you are considering an insulating job at your home, take help from this information palette on Building Insulation, a bulletin by Indian Green Building Council. It is always good to hire professionals for planning and executing such tasks.
You can also grow a vertical green wall on the outer facade to aid thermal insulation. It provides bonus benefits of beautification and noise absorption in winters and summers equally.
Find a designer to design your home
Find a designer to design your home
3. Double- or triple-pane the fenestration
An extra layer of glazing on windows, doors, skylights and other openings aids in boosting the thermal mass of the wall. Increasing thermal mass is a passive technique for heat-proofing and soundproofing. A quick-fix alternative to double glazing is to spread plastic wrap or bubble wrap throughout the opening and securing it with tape.
Know why uPVC windows are all the rage
An extra layer of glazing on windows, doors, skylights and other openings aids in boosting the thermal mass of the wall. Increasing thermal mass is a passive technique for heat-proofing and soundproofing. A quick-fix alternative to double glazing is to spread plastic wrap or bubble wrap throughout the opening and securing it with tape.
Know why uPVC windows are all the rage
4. Use thicker window treatments
Curtains, drapes and blinds of a opaque, heavier grade either absorb the incoming chill or keep it at bay. They also help stop the heat from escaping out. This substantially reduces the heating load of the home. Moreover, tactile textures add to the warmth and comfort of the interiors.
Which window blind is right for you?
Curtains, drapes and blinds of a opaque, heavier grade either absorb the incoming chill or keep it at bay. They also help stop the heat from escaping out. This substantially reduces the heating load of the home. Moreover, tactile textures add to the warmth and comfort of the interiors.
Which window blind is right for you?
5. Seal the AC inlets
Now that the air conditioners will not be put to use in the cold season, the fan vents and duct inlets must be sealed to reduce heat loss and to prevent cold draughts from entering. You can fasten the openings (or the main exhaust) with temporary covers.
Now that the air conditioners will not be put to use in the cold season, the fan vents and duct inlets must be sealed to reduce heat loss and to prevent cold draughts from entering. You can fasten the openings (or the main exhaust) with temporary covers.
6. Add more rugs and carpets
Tile, stone and hardwood floors are great for summers but they get cold quickly during winters. Rugs, carpets, runners and such floor coverings not only ensure that your feet stay toasty but also cosy up the interiors instantly.
Tile, stone and hardwood floors are great for summers but they get cold quickly during winters. Rugs, carpets, runners and such floor coverings not only ensure that your feet stay toasty but also cosy up the interiors instantly.
7. Service the machines
Before the chill arrives, check and repair the room heaters, solar water heaters, boilers and other heating systems. This will not only cut down the possibility of an unfortunate breakdown at a later stage, but also ensure that the system works efficiently throughout the season.
Before the chill arrives, check and repair the room heaters, solar water heaters, boilers and other heating systems. This will not only cut down the possibility of an unfortunate breakdown at a later stage, but also ensure that the system works efficiently throughout the season.
8. Pad the pipes
Prevention is always better than cure. In places that reach freezing temperatures, to avoid bursting due to cold or rime, pipes need to be lagged. Both cold and hot water pipes can be insulated using wraps (made of fibreglass or plastic or rubber or cotton) and tubular sleeves (made of foam or rubber). Insulation considerably increases their bearing strength and trims energy cost.
Prevention is always better than cure. In places that reach freezing temperatures, to avoid bursting due to cold or rime, pipes need to be lagged. Both cold and hot water pipes can be insulated using wraps (made of fibreglass or plastic or rubber or cotton) and tubular sleeves (made of foam or rubber). Insulation considerably increases their bearing strength and trims energy cost.
9. Do not forget the garden
Walk around the perimeter of your house to check for cracks or ruptures in the masonry and structural joints. Such crevices prompt water seepage and make the home attractive to rodents or pests, specially in winters. Clean the areas, fill the gaps with water-resistant seals and finish with waterproof paint cover.
To protect the plants that are not tolerant to the cold, add mulch to keep the soil warm. Potted sun-responsive plants can be shifted to an area which receives direct sunlight. Other low-tolerance plants should be placed indoors.
You can shift the patio furniture to an open or semi-shaded area for some winter morning sun. Make sure the furniture is resistant to temperature falls that occur at night. However, this may not be a great idea for regions that experience snowfall and frosting.
This story was last published on Houzz India in 2017.
Read more:
Know the Difference Between Bedspreads, Duvets, Quilts & Comforters
Effortless Ideas for Adding Seasonal Decor to Your Home
Tell us:
Do you love the winter season, just like I do? How have you made your home winter-ready? Share in Comments below.
Walk around the perimeter of your house to check for cracks or ruptures in the masonry and structural joints. Such crevices prompt water seepage and make the home attractive to rodents or pests, specially in winters. Clean the areas, fill the gaps with water-resistant seals and finish with waterproof paint cover.
To protect the plants that are not tolerant to the cold, add mulch to keep the soil warm. Potted sun-responsive plants can be shifted to an area which receives direct sunlight. Other low-tolerance plants should be placed indoors.
You can shift the patio furniture to an open or semi-shaded area for some winter morning sun. Make sure the furniture is resistant to temperature falls that occur at night. However, this may not be a great idea for regions that experience snowfall and frosting.
This story was last published on Houzz India in 2017.
Read more:
Know the Difference Between Bedspreads, Duvets, Quilts & Comforters
Effortless Ideas for Adding Seasonal Decor to Your Home
Tell us:
Do you love the winter season, just like I do? How have you made your home winter-ready? Share in Comments below.
Gushes of cold drafts can wreak havoc with your warm roost. Look for draughty areas around the window, doors and vents. Caulking, weather-stripping, foam-blowing and strong adhesive tapes effectively seal the crevices to keep the drafts at bay. Snakes (long draught-blocking cushions) can come handy, if you miss out on securing any gaps.