Here in Australia, many of us are blessed with long and warm summers that allow us to make the most of the great outdoors. For a few months of the year, though, we have to deal with tough winters, and 2021’s winter season is fast approaching.
Winter this year might be one of the coldest ever, according to official records. Some parts of the country are already recording the lowest temperature in decades.
To stay warm and comfortable throughout these months, we might have to layer up and winter-proof our homes. Australian homes, however, are known best for their cooling abilities – not for their ability to retain warmth.
The good news is that there are several things you can do to prepare your home for the colder season.
You may already have curtains on your windows to block out the harsh sun rays during the summer months. Did you know that they can be just as useful at keeping your home warm during the winter?
This season, open up your curtains whenever the sun is shining to let the warmth inside your home. Close the curtains at night to block chilly air coming through window cracks or gaps.
Heavy curtains will also help you make sure the warm air doesn’t flow out from inside your home.
Imagine waking up in the morning, putting your foot down on the floor and feeling a jolt of electricity up your spine. This may be the feeling you experience if you haven’t covered up your hardwood or concrete floors during winter – these types of flooring aren’t good at retaining heat and tend to become cold overnight.
Consider covering your floor with comfortable, thick rugs and carpets made from different materials like wool, cotton, nylon and synthetic fibre. If you are on a budget, find alternatives to wool carpets given that they tend to be more expensive.
Poor insulation may lead to a 25% loss in heat during the winter months, preventing you from staying warm and enjoying lower energy bills.
While most people only think about wall insulation, to achieve optimal warmth and comfort, you need to insulate your floors and ceilings as well.
The good news is that you don’t need professionals to insulate your floors and ceilings since this process is DIY – friendly. If you want to insulate your walls, on the other hand, you may need expert support.
On the topic of optimal insulation, you also need to plug air leakages into your home. The majority of cold air generally comes through gaps in your window frames and under your door. For this, you can try using draught stoppers – which can be found for cheap in supermarkets – to plug any air leakages.
Home heaters are your ally when it comes to defeating the cold of the winter.
That is why I suggest installing a heating solution in your home if you don’t have one already. If you do, service your heater before the start of the winter to avoid any malfunctioning or other operational issues during the colder months.
To make sure you’re getting a professional job done that will ensure you don’t encounter any problems, work with licensed heating experts and technicians with a proven track record.
Here’s a bonus tip: You can also reduce heating costs if you set timers for your heater. Set your heater to turn off after you’ve slept and turned on 30 minutes before you usually wake up. This way, you always maintain the optimal temperature while conserving energy.
Most ceiling fans have a setting that allows them to spin anti-clockwise, pushing the hotter air near the ceiling down to the room.
This reverse setting is useful when it comes to circulating warm air throughout the room, maintaining its ambient temperature.
This year’s winter season is expected to be one of the coldest periods in over 60 years. To stay healthy and comfortable, start preparing early to ensure you and your loved ones have a pleasant winter ahead.
Use the points outlined in this post to avoid unnecessary discomfort in the upcoming winter, maintain an energy – efficient home and stay healthy.
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