subject: Shut Out Cold Winter Drafts With These Home Improvements [print this page] After a wash out summer it is expected that we will have an equally poor winter. The cold often has many effects on our lives however many people would not necessarily think just how much the cold can cost us. With high energy prices and few cheap alternatives to heating, homes are getting costlier to keep warm during the winter. The only way to genuinely start saving is to become more efficient so you use less energy to heat the same space for the same amount of time. There are many home improvements that have the ability to make a more thermally efficient home; this article looks at some of the most popular.
Install Double Glazing
One of the most popular and most common choices in sound home improving is the installation of double glazing. This is a great way to easily improve the homes thermal efficiency and give the house a brand new look. By installing these replacement windows, you ensure that there are no cold drafts coming in to the home and can also make sure that you do not lose any heat to the outside through poorly shutting windows. The benefits from modern double glazing keep coming even when it is not cold outside, in summer they can help maintain a constant temperature and also have great sound insulating abilities.
Lose the Drafty Door
One of the main ways in which heat can escape from the home is through an ill fitted or drafty door, not only that but some doors are also extremely poor insulators. In order to overcome this problem, why not fit a great new door that will not only save you money on your heating but also freshen up the look of your home. The most energy efficient doors are composite doors, they are not as costly or heavy as wood yet have far better insulating properties than a purely UPVC door.
Insulate and Wrap Up
One of the easiest ways to reduce heat loss from the home is through cavity wall and loft insulation. This creates a larger thermal barrier around the majority of the house which allows for the trapping of heat inside the home and reduces any drafts. As heat rises, the loft is often the best place to start although insulating wall cavities is offered to many home owners for free due to government subsidies.
In order to get the most energy efficient home possible it is best to eventually take advantage of all these home improvements however, getting at least one complete in time for winter will be very beneficial.
