Winter is the season of the year when you want to feel warm and cosy when you are at home. Keeping your home warm in winter can be very expensive. Use these eco-friendly tips to help you keep warm and lower your energy bills this winter.

Prevent Draughts
You will be more aware of the cold weather if you are living in a draughty house. To help prevent draughts coming into your home, purchase weather stripping for your windows and draught excluders for your exterior doors.

An old-fashioned method of preventing draughts from coming into the house is to buy or make material “snakes” and slide them under your door jams. This simple method of preventing draughts works just as well today as it did in your grand-parents’ time.

A draught free home will help keep you warm on cold winter days and nights. You will save money because you will not need to turn on your heating as often as you would if your home was draughty.

Keep Heating Bills Low
Your heater will operate with greater efficiency if you ensure it is cleaned regularly. Keep radiators and gas fires well dusted. Dust-free heaters will provide you with the most effective heating and you will avoid the smell of burning dust.

Close doors in rooms that are not in use. You will keep your heating bills low if you do not heat rooms that are empty.

Switch the thermostat down on your heater and wear warmer clothes or use throw-rugs to help you keep warm. By turning down the thermostat by 1 degree you could lower your heating bill by as much as 10%.

If you use a heated towel rail, turn it on a few minutes before you have a bath or a shower. It will not take long for the towel rail to warm up your towel. You will conserve energy if you do not leave heated towel rails switched on for long periods.

Create a Warm Atmosphere with Soft Furnishings
Wooden, tile, and slate floors can be kept warm in the winter by the use of rugs. Quality rugs are an excellent investment because they can be stored during the summer months and brought out in winter when you will appreciate the extra warmth they provide underfoot

Hang curtains made from a heavy material to help prevent heat escaping from your rooms. Always close your curtains or blinds when your heating is on as this will help keep the heat inside your home.

Throw-rugs, blankets, and woollen cushions placed on your sofa will add atmosphere to your home and help keep you warm.

Check the Energy Rating on your Appliances
Before you purchase a new appliance, check how much energy is required to run the appliance.

An appliance that requires more energy to run will cost you more every time you use it. For example, it may be a good time to replace your old tumble-dryer with a new more energy efficient model.

Follow the tips and you will be pleasantly surprised when you receive your next energy bill. You can have a warm and cosy home that is eco-friendly.