Improving the energy efficiency of your home this winter is more important than ever, given the astronomical rises in energy prices in recent times. But how do you actually ensure that you’re less wasteful with energy at home? Here are five home hacks for energy-efficient heating this winter.
Invest in a wood-burning stove
Heating your home with firewood is a cost-effective way to heat your home throughout the winter. With the cost of energy bills soaring, a wood-burning stove has an even more crucial role than ever to play in the efficient heating of your home this year. Wood burners can create maximum heat output when compared to other fuel sources, which wastes less energy and ensures that you can save money on your bills. Also, when you use firewood to heat your home, you don’t need to worry about entering into the complex world of estimated bills and energy use contracts.
Use the right fuel to heat your home
When it comes to using a wood burner as your primary source of heating, you need to make sure you use the right type of firewood. You should look for firewood that has a moisture content of less than 20%, as this ensures that your stove burns efficiently and cleanly with maximum heat output. Our kiln-dried firewood is the perfect fuel for your home fire and will help you sustainably and efficiently heat your home. If you use green or wet wood, your fire will be inefficient, and it will also produce more smoke and higher emissions. So, be sure to invest in the right fuel to heat your home this winter.
Draught-proof your property
Approximately 18% of heat loss within the home occurs through windows, while doors and poorly insulated walls also account for significant heat loss from your property. No matter how you choose to heat your home, you need to make sure that your property is draught-proof, as it keeps the heat inside as much as possible. You can use draught excluders at the foot of each door and potentially even upgrade your windows, as this will make a big difference to how efficient your home’s heating system is.
Insulate your walls
The cold winter temperatures in the UK mean that insulation is absolutely essential. If your walls and attic space aren’t insulated, heat is able to escape much more easily, while cold air can more easily penetrate your walls. While undertaking proper insulation can be expensive at first, it is a one-off job, and it will undoubtedly save you money in the long run. So, if your walls aren’t properly insulated, make this your priority at the start of winter.
Upgrade to a smart meter
If you’re using a central heating system to heat your home this winter, it makes sense to upgrade to a smart meter that enables you to control the way that your heating works. Smart meters allow you to control your heating system from your smartphone, setting the temperature in each room and adding a timer to ensure that the heating only comes on as and when you need it. By upgrading to a smart meter, you can reduce the amount of energy that your home uses, saving you money in the process.
Recap
As the cost of living continues to increase, it’s more important than ever to make your home’s heating system as energy efficient as possible. The above five hacks will help you, and if you do make the switch to a wood-burning stove, check out our range of sustainable firewood products that will help you heat your home efficiently this winter.
