Britons may be able to heat their home for less by putting their windows in “winter mode”, an expert says. With temperatures plummeting, many households will be cranking up the thermostat to stay toasty in the cold autumnal days and nights ahead.
Snow and bitterly cold temperatures were unleashed upon parts of the UK this week, with a number of yellow weather alerts issued and temperatures plunging as low as -11.7C in Scotland. Weather is expected to be milder and less cold this weekend, but still represents a risk for residents. In England, amber cold-health alerts were issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) for the North West, North East, and Yorkshire and Humber on Monday which will remain in place until 8am on Saturday. All other areas of England will continue to be under less severe yellow alerts until that time.
But while using your central heating will often be neccessary, there are other ways you can help keep the warm in so you’re not using it quite as much, and thereby saving some money on bills.
Geoff Clarkson, window specialist Express Bi-Folding Doors, shared various tips on how to ensure your windows and doors are as effective as possible in maintaining heat in the home and protecting you from the cold outside. Windows are one of the biggest sources of heat loss in a home, particularly if they’re old and single-glazed, the firm explains.
Modern windows will often have an adjustment feature that lets you pull it tighter into the frame when closed, Mr Clarkson says.
He notes that people have started calling this “winter mode” on social media, and it is effective at keeping the heat in.
“Most people don’t actually realise their windows can actually be tightened for winter,” he said.
“This simple adjustment that we call ‘winter mode’ helps pull the sash closer to the frame, reducing gaps and stopping cold draughts from getting in.
“It only takes a quarter turn of an allen key, but it can make a big difference to how warm your home feels. For older windows on your home, that tighter seal can really help keep the heat indoors”
“If your home feels colder than it should, your windows are often the first place to check, and in many cases, these small fixes can have a big impact.”
Meanwhile, Martin Lewis previously shared a clever tip for keeping your home warm and heating bills to a minimum this winter.
The personal finance guru shared the tip on his ITV show a few years back, but following the recent Ofgem October price cap hike and bills remaining high, it remains useful advice.
You can find out more here.
