As the days turn colder, we rely on our home to be a warm haven to return to on winter evenings. Particularly in Melbourne, where the weather can be so variable and the temperature frequently dips to single digits in winter, it’s important to ensure your home is prepared for every season.
Luckily, there are many things you can do in order to keep your home efficiently heated without racking up a huge energy bill.
ENERGY-EFFICIENT DESIGN
Building a home that is inexpensive to heat and stays warm during winter starts with a carefully considered home design. Make sure your building designer or architect has taken energy efficiency into consideration during the design process and understands the importance of creating an effective ‘building envelope’.
The building envelope is what separates you from the outside weather conditions and defines whether your house stays warm at the right times. Working with a builder or architect who knows how to get the orientation right and open up spaces for airflow without losing heat and wasting energy is the first and most crucial step to achieving a warm and eco-friendly home
INSULATION
A properly insulated building is key to keeping a home comfortable, no matter the season. While insulation may seem costly and time-consuming, it is absolutely worth it in the long run. As much as 35% of a house’s warmth can be lost through the roof in winter, meaning it’s a great place to start if you’re keen to keep your four walls cosy.
Professional insulation doesn’t come cheap, but it could save you hundreds in energy bills, making it worth the investment if you often feel cold at home during winter. An added bonus – insulation also keeps hot air out in summer, meaning you’ll spend less time and money trying to keep the place cool when temperatures rise.
KEEP EVERYTHING SEALED
Any small crack that lets air in will also let the cold in come winter. When planning a new home, ask your builder about the best windows and doors for keeping the heat in. If your existing home seems particularly draughty, it’s worth hunting down small gaps in doors and windows.
Sealing them up is usually pretty straightforward and can be done with products you’ll find at most hardware stores. Options include door seals and strips, silicone sealant, caulk and door snakes. If you’re renting or not sure of your DIY skills, draught strips can be used like sticky tape to temporarily seal any cracks.
RUG UP
While hardwood or stone floors can keep things nice and cool in summer, they do nothing for warmth in winter. Opting for carpet in at least some rooms can be an easy way to retain heat when you need it.
However, if you prefer non-carpeted flooring throughout, there are still some simple ways you can keep things cosy. Layer up with rugs in the rooms you use most and make sure you have curtains on the windows to keep some of that precious heat in (curtains will also come in handy for keeping heat out in summer).
LET IT FLOW
It’s inevitable that the heaters will be switched on at some point during winter – but there are some ways you can ensure you’re getting the most of your energy. Anything standing between you and the heat source will block the flow and prevent the effective circulation of heat. Rearrange your furniture in a way that allows the heat to circulate and warm as much of the room as possible.
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Keen to keep the chill out this winter? Get in touch with the team at Edina Building Group today to discuss building an energy-efficient home that keeps you comfortable all year round.
