Autumn is well and truly here. The temperature is dropping and we're be spending more time inside.
#1 Layer up
If you're milling around the house, keep yourself warm by laying clothing.
Slipping on a sweater and some cosy sweatpants after work is not only comfortable, but it keeps you warm.
Pro-tip: Don't forget to keep your feet warm with some thick socks and slippers.
#2 Block draughts
Blocking draughts makes a huge difference in the comfort of your home. If you're paying for heating, the last thing you want is for cold air to be blowing in through any gaps.
Block the bottoms of doors with draught stoppers. If your external doors have gaps around the frame, you may wish to consider having the stops replaced by a builder.
For windows, weather seals are a quick and easy solution. These double-sided foam strips can be installed by anyone, very quickly and easily.
Pro-tip: If you think your windows or doors causing draughts, test them using a candle.
Hold the lit candle up to the window or door seam and watch if the flame is moving. If so, you have a draught to block.
#3 Drink warm beverages
Warm yourself up from the inside out by sipping on a warm cuppa.
Whether you're partial to tea, coffee, herbals or even soup, a warm bevvie raises your core body temperature.
Pro-tip: Drinking very hot liquids whilst it's very cold actually draws the blood away from your extremities, to your core.
#4 Put a hot water bottle in your bed
15 minutes before bed, fill a hot water bottle and slip it between your sheets.
Invest in a thick cover or wrap in a blanket to keep it cosy.
To trap the heat in, layer an extra blanket on top of your duvet.
Pro-tip: Don't ever lay on your hot water bottle or overfill it. If you're using one in a child's bed, allow the water to cool for a bit after boiling to avoid burns.
#5 Keep the air dry
It's important for you and your families health that your home is warm and the air is dry.
Moisture in the air can cause sickness and mould. A dry home heats more effectively than a damp one.
Avoid drying clothes on the rack inside and vent dryers outdoors. Open windows in the mornings and evenings if you can.
Your bathroom and kitchen should have some sort of extraction fan to expel moist air outdoors.
Investing in a balanced pressure ventilation system makes a huge difference to your comfort and health. Warm damp air is extracted and passes through a heat exchanger, warming the incoming fresh air, before being expelled.
A balanced pressure ventilation system installed in a 3 bedroom house can cost around $4000.
Pro-tip: If a ventilation system is not in your budget, consider a high-quality dehumidifier.
#6 shower after being active
Whether you have just hit the gym, taken the dog for a lively walk or have broken a sweat while doing housework; make sure to shower afterwards.
Your bodies way of cooling itself is to sweat. Sweat sits on the skin and cools you as it dries.
Treat yourself to a warm shower and thoroughly dry yourself off after.
Pro-tip: Avoid wandering around with wet hair if you're trying to stay warm.
#7 Invest in quality curtains
Big windows can be a beautiful feature in your home. Unfortunately, single glazed windows allow heat to leach out.
Open curtains during the day to allow the sun in, then close them up in the afternoon and trap the heat inside of your home.
Pro-tip: If new curtains are out of your budget, buy a thermal lining and attache that to your existing drapes.
#8 Insulate your walls, floors and ceiling
If your home was built before 1977, it's worth checking whether or not you have insulation.
Some homes may be partially insulated as insulation became more important.
Insulating your ceiling and floor can be a cost-effective way to stop heat loss in the home. You would need to have access to the ceiling space and under the house.
If you're interested in installing insulation in your walls, it's more than likely the linings will have to be removed and replaced, which requires a heavier investment.
Top-tip: If you're planning to renovate your interior, consider insulating the walls at the same time.
#9 heat your home on a schedule
Rather than leaving your heat pump running 24/7 when there is no one home, schedule your heat pump to turn on 30 minutes before you wake up or are set to get home.
If you have a heat pump with wi-Fi Control, it's even easier.
Pro-Tip: If your heat pump has a remote, you can upgrade to Wi-Fi control using a third-party device, such as Sensibo.
#10 Don't crank up the heat
When you get home on a cold day, your impulse might be to turn the heat pump up as hot as it can go.
Believe it or not, this will not heat your room up any quicker, what it will do is use a lot of energy trying to bring the room up to temperature.
Pro-tip: To keep your heat pump efficient, have it serviced annually and clean the filters seasonally.
So that's it! break out those winter woollies and layer your bed in blankets.
Follow these 10 tips and you'll keep your home, family and pets warm this autumn & winter season.
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