With winter fast approaching and energy bills continually on the rise, what better time to look at implementing a few energy-efficient practices around the home to help ward off those winter blues.
- Clear your drains and gutters
Regular clearing, is important (we recommend twice a year) and now is the perfect time to do the job before the worst of the weather sets in. Leaves and twigs can clog up your gutter system, causing potential harm to your house and landscaping — not to mention the gutters themselves. Gutter guards are a great way to help manage the ongoing maintenance and might be worth looking at. - Have your roof checked for leaks
Not all leaks are obvious, so hire a professional to assess your roof to make sure it’s doing its job (ie keeping water and cold out and heating in). Long term damage can lead to major property deterioration that can be expensive to fix. - Ensure your home is well insulated
Is your roof well insulated and ventilated? As well as keeping your home cosy, insulation can save you up to 80% on heating (and cooling) losses. - Seal gaps in your windows and doors
Draughts and water coming in through gaps in or around windows and doors will help stop the cold and damp coming in and heat escaping. - Paint the exterior of your home
Painting the exterior of your home gives it its own “suit-of-Armour” to protect from weather’s elements. Caulking areas around window frames, door frames, fascia boards etc add an extra level of protection and stop water from getting in. - Trim the trees around your home
Stormy winter weather can wreak havoc in your garden. Remove weaker or damaged branches from trees before they can be taken by the wind and cause damage to property and other items like cars. - Clean and service air conditioning
Take the opportunity to carry out maintenance on filters, coils, and fins to ensure they continue to function effectively and efficiently. Neglecting necessary maintenance ensures a steady decline in air conditioning performance while energy use steadily increases. - Close your curtains
A great way to prevent heat loss is to close your curtains and lower your blinds immediately after dusk. They provide an extra barrier to radiant heat loss, add insulation and reduce draughts. Remember to open the curtains and blinds to let any sunshine in to warm your room up during the day.