As winter approaches and Irish households continue to grapple with the cost-of-living crisis, many are seeking ways to maximise heating consumption at every turn.
Sleep experts at Bed Kingdom have highlighted seven cost-effective tips and tricks to make your bedroom warmer and cosier this winter to help you enjoy a good night’s sleep.
Here is everything they are advising people:
Read more: Four energy supports confirmed by the government to help with bills
Make your sheets cosier in just one minute
If you dread having to jump into bed to freezing cold sheets after a long day of work, it may be worth spending one minute heating your sheets with a hairdryer, and this problem will quickly go away. Safely heat your sheets and duvet with a hairdryer, remembering to keep it at least six inches away from the fabric for safety precautions. Doing this quick, simple exercise will keep your bed warm and toasty, perfect for a cold winter’s evening.
The perfect place for your hot water bottle
While it may be tempting to wrap your hot water bottle in a tight hug for heat, there may be a couple of methods worth trying to maximise its use. Instead of placing the bottle in your bed before you jump in, simply get into bed and rest the bottle against your belly. Positioning the bottle on your belly will relax your muscles, heat your body and allow you to unwind for a better night’s sleep.
Save €51 a year on heating bills with these draught proofing tips
Cold draughts can wreak havoc in any home, infiltrating your room to reduce the efficiency of your heating system. There are a few easy draught proofing steps you can take to help prevent that sneaky cold air from affecting your interior spaces.
For DIYers and those looking for cost-effective methods, safely use a match or lighter to identify the exact spots where draught is causing a problem. By carefully moving the flame around window frames and doors, you can highlight the precise spots where cold draughts are escaping into your bedroom. Tackle these cold spots with:
Cling film – an average brand-own 50m roll will only set you back €1.70-€2.80.
Bubble wrap – make sure to save some bubble wrap from your online shopping orders to help cover those areas where cold air is entering your home.
Draught excluders – available in various shapes and designs, they allow you to stop cold draughts from entering at the bottom of doors and windows without compromising your décor.
Draught proofing can help you save around €51 a year on fuel bills, especially if you take a more professional approach. For example:
Use DIY sheet plastics to protect your windows.
Applying insulation tape or self-adhesive foam strips on those spots where cold air is entering through your windows.
Your floors are letting heat escape - here’s how to prevent it
Around 10% of heat loss in a home occurs through floors. The likelihood of losing heat through your floors is higher for those with wooden or laminate surfaces. Rugs can be an incredibly effective addition to any bedroom, serving as an attractive, cosy piece of décor which also serves to insulate your floor and create a more comfortable environment. Thanks to their great insulation properties and density, wool rugs are perfect for helping foster a warmth in your bedroom, slowing the transfer of heat into your flooring to help maintain a warmer interior.
Rearrange your bedroom furniture
A simple, yet effective solution to create a warmer, more comfortable bedroom, rearranging furniture and altering the layout of your room has proven to increase warmth. Where possible, ensure no furniture is against your radiators, allowing heat to be distributed across your room instead of being trapped against beds or cabinets.
Ideally, the length of your bed should not be up against a wall, but, if necessary, try to place your bed against an internal wall rather than an external wall, as this will reduce the amount of cold air reaching your body from the surface.
Don’t waste your radiator heat by adopting these DIY hacks
Radiators are one of the most important elements of any home’s heating system, but there are a few things you should know to help them run as efficiently as possible. Up to 40% of heat can be lost from radiators through poorly insulated walls, but a couple of cost-effective hacks can help save some of that much needed warmth. Placing sheets of foil, or even tin foil, behind your radiators will reflect heat energy back into your room that would otherwise be wasted.
If you have wall space directly above your radiator, putting up shelves can be useful in saving heat and reducing your bills. Instead of allowing the heat to rise to the ceiling, shelves will help throw it forward into your room, creating a cosier space.
Homeowners are also reminded to bleed their radiators ahead of the winter weather setting in. If your radiators are making gurgling noises or remain cold at the top when the heating is on, then bleeding your radiator will solve the issue and make your bedroom warmer.
Invest in a higher tog duvet
Picking the right duvet to keep you warm during the winter ultimately depends on each individual and how low the temperature drops. Generally, duvets of 13.5-tog or higher are recommended during cold winter periods, at an average price of between €17 and €28. If you find yourself to be too hot in bed, a lighter tog may be more suitable, and if you struggle to keep warm during the colder months, you may have to go all the way up to a 15-tog duvet at a usual cost of €23-€34.
Cotton sheets of various types are recommended during winter for a cosy night’s sleep. If you’re looking for the warmest option, look no further than flannel sheets. Due to excellent insulation, thickness and breathable fabrics, these sheets will allow you to enjoy a warm evening in bed while the cold weather rages outside.
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