Sustainability Trust

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Jonny on staying warm on a budget

Published 14 April 2016

Staying warm on a budget

Did you see our Home Energy Assessor, Jonny Parker, on Campbell Live? Jonny had 2 minutes to talk about some pretty important things, so here's a bit more on free and cheap things to make your home warmer and drier.

Windows:

  • Insulate your windows with a window insulation kit

  • Line your curtains, or find your local curtain bank

  • If you don't have a pelmet, use towels on top of curtain rails to stop draughts circulating behind the curtain

  • If your curtains don't touch the floor, tuck the bottoms onto the window-sill to stop draughts

Heat pumps

  • Clean the filters on your heat pump

  • Cut back greenery from around the external unit. The heat pump needs free-flowing air to work well

Doors

Ventilation

  • Dry air is easier to heat. Reduce moisture by airing your home every day

  • Create a cross draught by opening windows on opposite sides of the house

  • Use extractor fans, and put lids on pots when cooking

Insulation

  • Do a ‘hand-span’ test. Insulation should be thicker than a hand-span to work properly.

  • Check if you are eligible for subsidised insulation (tenants/landlords, and homeowners)

Other free services

And a few other things...

  • Don’t use unflued gas heaters - they emit high levels of moisture, and carbon monoxide - a poison

  • Only heat the room you’re in

  • Block an unused fireplace with scrunched-up newspapers