Grab your jumpers and beanies, it’s winter!
We’ve put together some handy tips to keep you warm this winter, without blowing your budget on heating bills.
1) Close the Curtains
When the sun is shining open your curtains to soak up the heat. Once the sun’s gone, close them up to keep out the winter chill.
2) Become an expert on your heater
If you have heaters installed at your place, make sure they are working correctly and that nothing is sitting in front of or on top of them.
3) Close up unused rooms
Keep the heat where you need it most by shutting the doors on any rooms you are not using, especially when you have the heater running. If you or your housemates are out during the day, keep your bedroom doors closed to keep the living area warm, then you can re-open doors to rooms as you need them.
4) Get door draught blockers
Cold air often creeps in underneath doors, and it’s estimated that up to 25% of heat loss in winter is caused by ‘air leakage’– a.k.a. draughts. ‘Draught stoppers are a budget way of keeping out a lot of cold air. You can even make one yourself, or find cheap ones at Bunnings Warehouse, Woolworths, Kmart or Target.
5) Stay warm while you sit
You are most likely to want to turn the heater up when you’re sitting still because your body temperature will naturally start to drop. Instead, use a hot water bottle, blanket, or put on some extra layers of clothes to prevent being tempted to turn the heater on while you’re lounging around.
6) Cover bare floors
Place rugs and mats on top of bare floors to stop chill from rising. Thicker rugs tend to insulate rooms better, and wool is one of the top insulators. Although can be expensive. Instead, look for cotton, acrylic and nylon options – they will provide good insulation and are more affordable. IKEA have a huge range of rugs and mats.
7) Shop smart for winter clothes
Don’t spend unnecessarily – always read the labels when you shop for winter clothes. Avoid cotton and look for wool, recycled polyester and items with ‘down’ filling. Good places to look for inexpensive winter clothes include second-hand stores, eBay, Depop or even Facebook Marketplace.
8) Do Some Cooking
Baking and cooking can be a great way to restore the heat within your home. Kill two birds with one stone by preparing yourself something to eat and more importantly warm up your space. Think hearty casseroles or stews to keep you toasty.
9) Ceiling Fans
If your ceiling fan has a reverse switch, use it to run the fan’s blades in the opposite direction to summer after you turn on your heat. The fan will produce an updraft and push down into the room heated air from the ceiling (remember, hot air rises).
When you’re out and about:
- Wear appropriate outdoor clothing
- Avoid rushing
- Use handrails where available
- Avoid carrying lots of shopping bags at once
- Wear flat shoes with rubber soles
- Carry a mobile
- Keep floor mats inside to prevent slippery surfaces in the house
Around the House Check:
- Air-Conditioning Filters – keeping the filter clean can lower your air conditioner’s energy consumption by 5% to 15%.
- Gutters – YourPlace provides a cleaning service
- Leaks in or around your house
- Damp and mould in bathrooms and cupboards
If you have any concerns about any of these issues:
call our Maintenance Team on 8351 8466.
What’s Happening at YourPlace:
August 2021 Edition
