Top tips for Winter Warmth

Wednesday, 21st December 2011

Top tips for Winter Warmth for Waterford households from the Bord Gáis Energy Home Team

As temperatures drop and householders in Waterford find themselves in the grip of the first real cold snap of winter 2011, the importance of taking the necessary measures to ensure our homes are properly insulated, energy efficient and cosy really becomes ever more apparent.

The frequent and prolonged freezing and snow conditions experienced over the last two years has certainly given us all time to contemplate the fact that a properly insulated and energy efficient home is one of the best investments you can make for your family home.

A recent survey by Bord Gáis Energy Home Team* showed that over a third (37%) of people in the Munster region surveyed believe their homes are currently insufficiently insulated. As we feel the fall in temperatures this week, the Home Energy Consultants from the Bord Gáis Energy Home Team have put together a 10 point advice plan on keeping your home cosy and warm during a cold snap.

Simple steps to help retain heat in your home during a cold snap this winter –

1. Close your curtains and prevent them overhanging your radiators as this channels heat towards the window.

2. Have your radiators Power Flushed to eliminate lime scale and debris to ensure maximum efficiency.

3. Your natural gas boiler is key to an efficient heating system and should be looked after by having it serviced annually.

4. It is especially important if you are going away or leaving your home unattended for a period of time to keep your boiler running for 2-3 hours periodically during the day by setting your time clock or leave the heating on a low temperature setting. This will help to avoid freezing pipes when the temperature drops.

5. If there are any drafts in your home, get them sealed before the temperatures outside drop. Ensure your attic door is draft-free and if necessary fit some draft excluder. Also fit draft excluders to external doors and your letter box.

6. Think both clever and stylish interior design! Carpets or rugs help to insulate floors.

7. To save on unnecessary energy consumption, use a portable space heater when only one room needs to be kept warm. Alternatively install heating controls and/or thermostatic radiator valves to control the temperature in each room independently.

8. Where radiators are on external walls fit reflective foil-backed insulation behind them to reflect heat into the room.

Efficient water heating –

9. Update the lagging jacket on your hot water cylinder and it will pay for itself within 2 - 3 months

10. Lag pipes in unheated areas of your home such as your attic.