Winter time is a costly period. Not only do those high fuel bills hurt our pockets, all that extra energy we consume damages the environment more too.
So cutting down on energy use throughout winter will save us money and help the environment too but that doesn't mean we have to sit and shiver through the cold winter months.
There are two ways to save money and energy during winter without decreasing our comfort:
Prevent wastage
Find alternative methods
Preventing waste
The key to preventing wasting energy is efficiency. Improving and maximising efficiency will save you money, energy and can even provide better comfort.
Most modern heating systems rely on boilers of one description or another so ensuring that it is in tip-top condition will make sure you are not wasting energy but also you can boost the power of your existing heaters and radiators.
Radiator panels make use of all the lost heat that is pumped out of the back of a radiator while ensuring they are bled properly will also help to increase their efficiency.
Alternative methods of heat
Just because modern heating systems are practical and convenient it doesn't necessarily follow that they are the most environmentally friendly method of heating your home. Using traditional methods such as a log burning fire or open hearth can be even better for the environment.
While logs and coal produce smoke you can burn recyclable material and if you use a log maker you can ensure the fuel you are burning burns slower and produces less smoke that just throwing waste on to the fire.
Other natural ways of keeping warm include returning to natural fabrics. A pure wool duvet for instance will keep you a lot warmer than a man-made product, and the same can be said for clothing too.