Have you noticed your home dropping in temperature a little too frequently this winter? Not only can a draughty house cost you hundreds of pounds in heating bills throughout the year, it can also be more vulnerable to weather damage in more extreme conditions.
The good news is that a few simple investments can make a big difference in keeping your home sealed and weatherproof all year round.
Below, we’ve listed some of the best adjustments you can make to weatherproof your home to keep it warm in the winter, and comfortable in the summer – and help you make some serious savings on your bills in the meantime.
1. Fix Holes and Gaps
Small holes and gaps may not seem like an immediate cause for concern in your home, but added all together, they can let a lot heat out of your home – leaving you cold and cranking up the heating all throughout the winter!
To seriously weatherproof your home, invest in some good quality caulk and work your way through your house. Look for gaps where cables enter your home, small holes in your flooring and walls, test doors and windows – anywhere a draught could be entering your home. Sealing up all the small gaps and cracks in your home can help you make serious savings on your heating bill in the colder months.
2. Draught Stoppers
Another major culprit for letting draughts into the home are doorways, and sometimes the gap is too big to caulk and seal up. In this circumstance, a simple draught stopper can do wonders for trapping the heat inside your home.
Simply place them underneath your door to keep the cold air outdoors from entering into your home.
3. Window Treatment
For insulating your home all year round, you can’t go wrong with investing in double glazing for your windows and doors. Double glazing consists of two layers of glass trapping a layer of air in-between. This insulates your home from the cold outdoors, and also in turn reduces the impact of hotter temperatures on your home.
4. Insulate Your Water Heater
Insulating your water heater is a fantastic way of preventing heat from your boiler being lost through the sides.
Simply invest in an insulating blanket to wrap around your boiler to see what a difference this simple change makes to the warmth in your home – not to mention your heating bill!
5. Programmable Thermostat
Getting a programmable thermostat is a great way to keep your home functional all year round. Programmable thermostats allow you to set a time for your heating to automatically turn on, and when to turn off throughout the day.
This is perfect for days when you’ll be out the house all day and want to return to a warm home without having the heating on for 8 hours when no one is even there! Likewise, in the warmer months, you can shut down your heating altogether or just have it on for an hour or two in the evenings when the temperatures really drop.
These thermostats are not only a great way to keep your home weatherproof for the entire year, but can also help you make massive savings on your heating bills.
6. Insulate & Seal Your Attic
Large amounts of heat can very quickly be lost through a poorly insulated attic, so this should be an absolute priority when it comes to weatherproofing your home.
Loft insulation a cheap investment for the return on heat savings you’ll make, and is a small but extremely effective change you can make to preserve massive amounts of warmth in your home. What’s more, a properly insulated loft is less likely to suffer from draughts and gaps that could lead to further damage if not addressed.
7. Maintain Your Roof
The winter can be a tough time on your roof, causing damage to roof tiles and providing the perfect opportunities for moss to grow and potentially damage your home.
Therefore it’s a good idea to maintain your roof all year round, clearing it of moss and debris and also ensuring any damaged tiles and guttering are repaired on time to avoid leaks entering your attic and causing a lot of damage when the rainy season comes around.
Cover your home against damage or loss caused by fires, storms, flooding and more this year with a comprehensive Home Insurance policy from Surewise. Find out more information about finding a Home Insurance policy to suit your needs here.