Installing gas log fireplace and more tips to keep your loved ones warm during winter.
Keeping your home warm and cosy in winter is every homemaker’s goal. But sometimes, it can be challenging to come up with ways to keep your home warm and comfortable without paying much on heating expenses. It’s all too familiar with many Aussie homemakers: when the temperature drops, the energy bill goes up.
But there are ways to stay warm in this cold season that does not necessarily entail going broke. Here is a collection of time-tested tips and hacks you can try this winter and during cold snaps.
1. Get your house insulated.
One effective way of keeping your home warm during the winter season is to have it insulated. Insulation acts as a barrier to prevent heat loss through ceilings and roofs, walls and floors. With insulation, your home stays comfortably warm during winter and cool during summer.
It is essential to consider your region’s climatic conditions when installing insulations. You can prioritise keeping the heat in or out; the insulation level will depend largely on your region’s climate. With proper insulation, you can save up to 45% on cooling and heating energy. Besides, you also minimise condensation and prevent mould and damp spots from forming in your home.
2. Inspect your house for gaps and cracks.
The presence of gaps and cracks results in heat loss and can even let cold air in. Draughts are responsible for as much as 25% heat loss in your home during winter and heat gain in summer. Fortunately, it’s quite easy to DIY remedy this issue.
You can easily seal the cracks around your windows and doors, floorboards, and walls with air-sealing products. Use draught seal around your door to draught-proof your home. These products don’t cost much and are available at your local hardware stores.
3. Consider installing pelmets on your windows.
Not only are pelmets decorative, but they are also functional. Those little boxes sitting over your curtain rod can effectively block cold air from seeping into your room. If you haven’t got one yet, you might want to consider installing some. Alternatively, you may also attach a strip of plywood on top and behind the curtain rail.
If you can’t install pelmets or are not keen on making permanent fixings for now, you can try temporary solutions. You may move your curtain railings so that it reaches the ceiling, or simply dress the area with a cloth or scarf.
4. Invest in double glazed windows.
Double glazed windows can powerfully insulate your window and prevent heat transfer. Though these are costlier than your standard window, you will save a lot on energy in the long run. You can also fake it and treat your window to get the benefits of double glazed windows.
To DIY, you will only need inexpensive double glazed window kits found in most home depots. Application is relatively easy, especially if you have a knack for handcrafting.
5. Lay down some floor coverings.
One of the simplest hacks in keeping your home toasty in winter is by laying down some floor coverings. Rugs and carpets can do wonders in keeping the area where your feet land warm and comfortable.
Go for wool rugs for the winter season as these can contribute to keeping you feel warm. These rugs are also a safer tandem with your fireplace since it is fire resistant. Dhurrie rugs are an inexpensive and great alternative to carpets and provide a warm and comfortable covering on your floor.
6. Dress up your windows with drapes.
Invest in some lovely curtains that will maximise heat retention and effectively block cold air from coming in. Window coverings like curtains stop heat from escaping through the windows. Go for curtains with thicker fabrics, such as tweed or suede, for optimal thermal backing.
You can also go for block out or thermal blinds rather than thick curtains if you prefer a more minimalist approach. You can dress up your windows in different ways that will suit your interior style.
7. Make the most of the sunshine.
Open up your curtains and let the sunlight in during the day. This will help deliver natural (and free!) heat into the room. It will also help dry out moisture brought about by the cold, thus preventing the formation of mould. When the sun has set, draw the curtains to preserve heat and keep the draught out.
8. Only heat rooms that are in use.
It may be tempting to heat up the whole house, but it is not energy and cost-efficient. Imagine heating a room in the house that nobody really uses. The energy spent to make the unused rooms warm can easily jack up energy bills. That’s precisely what you want to avoid.
The best way to do is to only heat rooms that are actually being used. Not only will it conserve energy, but it will also help warm up the room faster versus heating up the whole place. Make sure that you’re using the right type and size of room heater for better results.
9. Shut the door of the rooms that are not in use.
Zone out and close the door of the unused rooms to maximise warmth in the room that is in use. Close the areas like the laundry room and bathroom, so you keep the heat where you need it most – in the living room, bedroom, or office. Shutting the doors will also prevent cold air from moving into the heated room. Make sure that everyone at home is in on zoning out and avoid leaving the door ajar.
10. Set your heater.
Ideally, the thermostat should be set between 19-20°C (66-68°F) in winter. Of course, it will depend mostly on your preference and which room you are heating. You should also set your timer so that it warms the room only for the time it is needed. For instance, you may set the timer to gradually start heating the room 20-30 minutes before you get up in the morning. It’s a lot better than turning the thermostat full blast to warm the room rapidly.
You might also want to set the timer to switch off at night when you are in bed. The residual heat and the thick blanket will keep you warm. Turn off the heaters when you are leaving the room or the house to save electricity and cut down on energy bills.
A small reminder about heater: make sure it is maintained to keep it in its proper working order. You wouldn’t want to find it broken or malfunctioning just when you need it to work. It’s best to have it serviced once every two years so you won’t encounter any problems at the most inconvenient time in the future.
11. Make your room warm with this fan hack.
Here is another hack you might want to try: put a fan in front of the heater or fireplace. It might sound counterintuitive, but there is a logical explanation for this. Placing a fan in front of your fireplace or heater catches hot air as it rises. Putting it on a low setting can help circulate heat and disperse warmth.
Take note that some fan models have reverse or winter setting. When you put it on winter or reverse mode, the fan’s blades change its turning direction and go anti-clockwise. It then catches warm air as it rises and spreads it around the room. Make sure that the fan is only on low setting because it works best that way.
12. Rearrange furniture in your room.
Sometimes, it all boils down to where you are in the room. Is your favourite chair situated close to the door or window? Maybe that’s why you don’t feel so comfy while lounging there. Cold air may come in through gaps in the windows and doors (which is also why you should inspect for and seal those gaps). It is best to rearrange furniture and:
- keep the couch closer to the heat source and away from drafts;
- keep the bigger and bulkier furniture away from the heat source so it wouldn’t block the flow;
- consider positioning the couch and bed against the internal wall of the house rather than the wall facing outside.
13. Reconsider your bed linens.
Cotton sure feels nice and soft but it is best for summer months. Some bed linen materials like flannelettes are fantastic on cold winter nights. It is lightweight and soft, and it can keep you warm throughout the night without making you sweat. But if you want to get extra warm and cosy, fleece bedding might be a good choice. It all depends on individual preferences and receptiveness to cold and heat.
14. Choose warm clothes .
Yes, it’s a no-brainer, but it’s still worth mentioning. Wearing the right garment is the key to surviving the cold winter months. After all, it’s so much easier to warm yourself than the whole house, right? Wearing the right clothes will even help you save a few dollars on your energy bill.
- Layer on some clothes and adjust when you get hotter or colder. Choose materials like wool, polyester or nylon as these are excellent in retaining body warmth.
- Thermal underwear can help regulate body temperature, keeping you warm, dry and comfortable.
- Add on accessories such as gloves, scarf, shawl, or coat to make you feel extra cosy. A warm pair of boots will keep your feet comfy.
15. Install gas log fireplace.
Get the warm and cosy ambience of wood-burning fireplace minus the hassle of maintenance. Gas logs may look like real woods, but these are actually ceramic and rely on either liquid propane or natural gas to work. Gas log fireplace is taking over and replacing the conventional furnace. Here are its benefits:
- No more chopping up woods, no mess, easy maintenance
Gas log fireplace leaves behind no soot and dust, and there would be no need to sweep chimneys.
- Warms more efficiently
With the conventional fireplace, the warmth wafts and fades up the chimney. Ceramic logs produce and retain heat better than the standard fireplace.
- Much safer
Unlike the traditional wood burning fireplace, gas log fireplace has no open flame.
- Easy to install
Unlike the wood burning fireplace, the gas log fireplace does not require a chimney. Instead, it only needs a vent pipe. It won’t take as much time and effort to install.
- Greener alternative
Gas log fireplace produces less greenhouse emission compared with other home heating systems.
- Adds value to your home
Gas log fireplace is becoming not just functional but aesthetic feature as well. It can even elevate the value of your home.
Fancy a Gas Log Fireplace in Your Home? Green Planet Plumbing offers fireplace installation.
It can efficiently warm the room, requires minimal maintenance, and looks super stylish. Who wouldn’t want an elegant gas log fireplace at home? There is nothing like sitting in front of a beautiful and cosy fireplace in winter. The tall flame crackling and dancing as it warms up the room and imparts a romantic and relaxed ambience. Imagine your family huddled together by the fire as you share stories and maybe some hot drinks, too?
You probably think that it costs so much to have this fireplace installed at home? On the contrary, it’s much cheaper than the traditional wood burning fireplace. Plus, it costs less to operate! With its many benefits already mentioned in this article, the modern gas log fireplace can easily outdo the old one!
Here at Green Planet Plumbing, we make owning a gas log fireplace easier and more affordable. Entrust the project to our reliable and skilled team! We will help you pick out the most suitable fireplace to meld harmoniously with your home design.
Go ahead and make your home become a sanctuary that it is. Give us a call today at 02 4911 9402 or get in touch with us through email. We serve anywhere within Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Central Coast and Hunter Valley.
