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HOME IMPROVEMENTS 27<br />
Top tips on how to winter proof your home<br />
It will only be a matter of weeks before the crisp air and falling leaves herald<br />
the arrival of autumn and winter will be just around the corner. It’s essential to<br />
prepare your home for the colder months ahead and this is the case now more<br />
than ever. Whilst gas and electricity prices will not be as high as last winter, they<br />
will still be double what they were before Russia invaded Ukraine and experts are<br />
predicting they will rise again in January 2024.<br />
Have you done everything that you could do to winter-proof your home? Home<br />
improvement specialists Glevum have been installing energy-efficient doors and<br />
windows for nearly 40 years and over this time have picked up a vast amount of<br />
knowledge around making homes as energy efficient as they can possibly be<br />
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore how Glevum Windows can help you<br />
winter-proof your home ensuring comfort, energy savings, and a snug ambiance<br />
throughout the autumn and winter.<br />
1. Replace your old windows and doors with Energy-Efficient Windows:<br />
Glevum Windows offers a range of energy-efficient options, such as double-glazed<br />
and triple-glazed windows. These windows are designed with multiple layers of<br />
glass that provide enhanced insulation, keeping the cold air out and preventing heat<br />
from escaping. This results in reduced heating bills (Government estimates state that<br />
installing A-rated windows and doors can save as much as £155 a year in your energy<br />
bills) lower carbon footprint and a more comfortable indoor environment.<br />
9. Consider carpets rather than wood laminate flooring:<br />
Carpets are the widely recognised more energy-efficient option than wood laminate<br />
for two reasons – they reduce drafts in the home, but they also have a warmer feel<br />
when walked on with bare feet, making it less likely that you will feel cold and<br />
increase the thermostat.<br />
10. Less hybrid working in the winter:<br />
Many of us have welcomed hybrid working since COVID. But if you have the option<br />
to flex when you work from home – look to do it less in the winter months. Working<br />
from home adds to your energy costs for everything from heating to lighting, to<br />
microwaves and kettles and of course for some laptops or PCs.<br />
Many of these tips you may have been aware of – at least to some extent. But<br />
hopefully, they will still act as a timely and helpful reminder. If the time has come<br />
for you to consider replacing your windows and doors with new energy-efficient<br />
ones, then call Glevum on 0800 33 22 55 or visit their website www.glevum.co.uk to<br />
request your FREE no-obligation quotation.<br />
2. Change to energy-efficient LED bulbs:<br />
As the nights draw in, we tend to use more electricity lighting our homes to enhance<br />
the warm, welcoming feel. Replace traditional incandescent bulbs with LED lighting<br />
bulbs. LED bulbs use significantly less energy (typically 75% less) and last longer (as<br />
much as 25 times), making them a cost-effective choice for your home despite the<br />
fact they are more expensive at the outset.<br />
3. Consider using plugs for lighting that you can control remotely:<br />
Plugs and bulbs for your lighting from firms like Kasa are a great way to control<br />
your lighting and reduce energy use via their app. They can make your home look<br />
occupied when you are out (if combined with a Kasa camera – you can even turn<br />
on lights or radio when your house is approached by somebody you don’t know)<br />
and give you ultimate control – for example turning upstairs lights off when you are<br />
downstairs.<br />
4. Check how much loft insulation you have:<br />
In the 1980’s it was quite standard to install any thickness from 25mm to 50mm.<br />
Then, building regulations stated that homes should have as much as 100mm of loft<br />
insulation. This gradually increased to 200mm and now stands at 270mm for new<br />
builds. Not only will this reduce your heat loss and reduce the amount of energy you<br />
use, but like many of the steps we outline here it could improve your home’s energy<br />
rating improving its price and saleability.<br />
5. Keep an eye on your thermostat:<br />
If for example you usually heat your home to 20 degrees and you turn it down to<br />
say 19 degrees, could save as much as 13% on your energy bill. Also, turn it down<br />
further when you are out of the home for any extended period. Also, when you next<br />
upgrade your boiler, try to go for one that allows you to control it via an app on your<br />
phone. That way for example if you are out of your home for say 8 hours, you can<br />
turn it down even lower, but turn it back up to where you want it by the time you<br />
return home.<br />
6. Embrace Natural Solar Heat:<br />
Glevum Windows’ innovative designs allow you to harness the power of natural solar<br />
heat during the winter months. Their windows are engineered to maximize solar gain,<br />
capturing sunlight, and converting it into warmth for your home. This eco-friendly<br />
approach not only reduces heating costs but also contributes to a greener lifestyle.<br />
7. Invest in Energy-Efficient Appliances:<br />
When it’s time to replace your appliances, opt for the most energy-efficient models<br />
your budget can get. These appliances are designed to consume less electricity, which<br />
can lead to substantial energy savings over time. Saving a few pounds on the purchase<br />
price in the first instance can cost you a lot more in the long run.<br />
8. Shorter showers in the winter:<br />
A 10-minute shower costs in the region of 50p. Reduce that to 5 minutes and you<br />
could save 24p. For a household of 4 over the three worst months of winter, this<br />
could save you £90 a year.