Making your home more energy efficient this winter

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With winter just around the corner, you’ve no doubt been thinking about getting the heating on and staying in. As the cold weather comes, our lounges and sofas become much more appealing. But with the need to make our homes more appealing, comes the extra cost associated with heating in winter.

With the rising cost of bills, now more than ever we need to be more economical with the heat we use. Not to mention the environmental benefits too.

Here are a few things you can do to make your home that bit more energy efficient.

Wood burning stoves

Not only are wood burning stoves the height of chic interior design style, featuring in all the glossy magazines when it comes to top interior trends for this year; they’re also energy efficient too. For example, replacing an old fireplace with a wood burning stove would see the following benefits:

• 50% more energy efficient
• Use of 1 /3 less wood to provide the same heat, offering immediate environmental benefits
• Production of 70% less particle pollution indoors and out

It’s also a much more cost effective solution than relying on standard gas or electricity to heat your home. Using a renewable energy source, this again has considerable environmental benefits. Click here to view high quality stoves and choose your perfect heating partner for this winter.

Pump up your insulation

For those who are still relying on standard central heating this winter, one of the first things you should look to do is to increase your home’s insulation. Simply ensuring any loft space is properly insulated can end up saving you £175 a year on your energy bills. It’s quick and easy to do and will save you money in the long run.

Change your curtains

A simple touch like investing in some heavy fabric curtains or insulated blinds will help you retain the heat at night. If you’re lucky enough to get some winter sun (it does happen believe it or not), make sure you throw open your curtains or blinds and let the sun heat your home. It will make a difference.

Invest in some soft furnishings

A leather couch is not great in winter. Nor is a bog standard sofa. To really make it feel warm and cosy and reduce the need for pumping up the heat, simply get some throws, cushions and blankets and trap the heat in that way. It’ll be perfect and cosy during winter.