Days leading up to Christmas are quite hectic. While some are doing the last-minute shopping, others are wrapping up presents throughout the night. Better yet, there are those that binge on Christmas films that make them nostalgic and remind them of the holidays they spent with their loved ones when they were younger. The last thing one should concern themselves with is figuring out how to stay warm when their house feels like an iceberg. Before you play around with the settings on the thermostat, you ought to consider what can be done to prepare your home for winter. The following steps will make your home warm and cozy.
Put Down an Area Rug
Many homeowners prefer to show the original floorboards that came with their home when they purchased it. They wish to display the woodwork of the era in which the house was built. While floorboards are an exquisite design element, they provide poor insulation during the winter months. One option is to use wall-to-wall carpeting throughout your home. If this does not reflect your personal aesthetic, you ought to consider putting down an area rug. They come in come in a variety of sizes, colors and designs.
While they will make your home look stylish, the warmth of the rug will help keep your toes toasty. Interior designers recommend using rugs in the living room, dining room and in the bedroom. Although, the recommended sizes differ from room to room, the general rule of thumb is to put down a rug which will fit under heavy furniture pieces.
Fill Gaps in the Floorboards
Cold air can enter our home through gaps in your windows frames and in the skirting boards. You can easily cover the gaps by using caulking. You should also look for gaps in your wooden floors. If you notice gaps between floorboards, it is highly likely cold air will seep through. You can fill the gaps by using a wood putty which is available at leading hardware stores. Pick a wood putty which closest resembles the color of the wooden floorboards in your home. Squeeze some out of the bottle and put it on top of the gap. Use your fingertips in circular motion to fill the gap. Once the filling dries, you will notice stains around the gaps. You can easily remove them by wiping them away with a moist towel.
Layering Clothes Indoors
There is no chance of survival in the sub-freeze if we were to put fashion before our common sense. On your way out, be sure to wear a full-length wool coat, waterproof boots and snug muffler. When you return home, you should layer clothes by wearing thermal wear, a sweater and fleece lined pants. If your feet become exceptionally cold, replace cotton socks with wool socks. Not only is wool a better insulator, it will also keep your feet dry as cotton retains moisture. If you are big on high-tech, you can give heated electric socks a chance. These socks feature rechargeable lithium batteries that can keep your feet toasty up to 6 hours.
Adjust Settings on the Thermostat
Temperature will average from a high of 45°F to a low of 35°F during winter. You can stay warm indoors by layering clothes such as an inner thermal suit and a knit sweater. Although, it may be tempting to set your thermostat to the max, it will unfortunately increase your energy bill. Experts unanimously believe it is better to set your thermostat to 72° F during the daytime and 62° F at night. If you will be away from home for a few days, turn down the temperature to 55 °F without the pipes freezing.
Get Boiler Breakdown Plans
Last not least, it is important to have a boiler breakdown plans which ensure emergency repair will be affected regardless of extreme weather conditions. We employ Gas-Safe engineers that are highly skilled. They can install a new heating unit, provide annual service and affect a repair on wall mounted, floor standing and on back boilers that are connected to the main gas line. We also have a network of tradesmen around the country that have a track record of repairing boilers regardless of their age and condition. With 24|7 Home Rescue, your boiler is in safe hands.
