Every January, we mistakenly believe and optimistically hope the worst of the cold weather is behind us. But with temperatures as brutally low as -12C set to hit certain areas in the UK this month, household pressure on heating systems is set to increase, and home temperatures are bound to drop after sunset.
To help save costs and energy during this often-expensive time, British Gas shared 10 top tips to keep homes warm during the chilly months. The energy provider highlighted that the most common areas of heat escape in homes include poorly insulated ceilings, walls, and floors. Main culprits also include gaps around windows and doors, and open chimneys or fireplaces.
While the tips range from practical advice, such as closing curtains to prevent warmth from escaping through windows, to draught-proofing your home with insulating tape, the energy provider suggests one particularly unexpected tip.
During the colder months, Jessica Rawstron, a smart energy engineer at British Gas, urged homeowners to use the oven to heat the house, questioning why heat should be wasted after dinner comes out of the oven.
Ms Rawstron explained that leaving the oven door open to slowly transfer heat into the kitchen will keep your house warm while you eat.
She said: “Once dinner comes out of the oven, we all close the door again. But why waste that heat? Leave the oven door open and let the heat transfer slowly into your kitchen; it’ll help keep your house warm while you eat. And, naturally, keep the kids and pets away from the door.”
On a similar note, she urged homeowners to “get creative” with their insulation by cutting up spare foam pipe lagging to use as a door draught excluder. Ms Rawstron then advised sliding it on the bottom of a door to form a tight seal against the floor.
Other tips include using spray foam insulation to fill cracks and gaps in walls or even behind cupboards, provided homeowners check the can’s safety precautions first.
Ms Rawstron added that British Gas funds the Help4Homes scheme, which offers free advice on energy-saving and benefits and directs those struggling with energy debt to visit the British Gas Energy Trust.
To help cut costs and improve efficiency further, the energy expert also urged homeowners to service their boiler every year, bleed their radiators to ensure the hot water rises and to pop on some pipe-lagging (insulating hot water pipes with foam tubes) to prevent pipes from freezing.
