DIY projects to warm up your home during winter
- magda
There is nothing quite like heading home from a long day and looking forward to the warmth and comfort of your living room. For some, that’s not always the case, as Australian homes aren’t exactly the world standard in weatherproofing.
There are a number of projects you can do to help those rooms around the house from losing their heat. We’re not just talking about adding more heaters.
Add double-glazed windows
Did you know that, according to the Australian government website Your Home, your windows can gain up to 87 percent of their heat through windows? This area is also where you can lose up to 40 percent of your home’s heating energy.
Original windows consist of a single layer of glass. Double glazed windows mean that you have a second sheet of glass as well, with a small spacer bar around the outside to create a small gap (usually about 9mm) between the layers to create an insulation break. Plus, glass these days is no longer just glass. There are countless options for glass products with thermal insulation, emissivity, and solar heat performance.
There is a range of options for glazed windows and home warming up. One of them is simply adding a second layer to your existing window panes. The other way is to replace the glass completely. Depending on the project , you make be able to do it yourself, or you might need the help of a professional handyman.
Throw down some rugs (or lay down carpet)
As good as carpet feels underneath bare feet, and as good as it is at hiding those stray dog hairs and tea spills, the real reason it was invented was to help keep houses warm.
The UK’s National Energy Foundation states that you can lose 10 percent of your home’s heat through uninsulated floors. Older homes with wooden floors may not have insulation, and after years of use, cracks can appear between the boards.
The quick and easy solution is to add thick rugs to wooden floors. Rugs don’t offer the same full-floor coverage as carpets. But they are a more versatile option. This is ideal for homes that warm up quickly in summer (so you can just roll the rugs back up until winter!).
Installing your own carpets is another job that you can achieve yourself with the right tools, plenty of patience, and the proper know-how. Alternatively, hire a pro and sit back with your feet up (literally) as they lay it for you.
Install a ceiling fan
The biggest myth about fans: they only help to cool your home.
In summer, your fans rotate in a counterclockwise direction and circulate air about your home, making you feel cooler. In winter, newer fan models can be switched to rotate clockwise. This helps push the warm air back down (as hot air rises), to keep the room warmer overall.
Installing your own fan takes a little know-how, some tools, and a helper standing next to your ladder. If you’re not sure if you can tackle this job (there’s no shame in it!). Just give our guys a call.
