How to keep your house warm and save energy

Insulating your home: the first step to saving energy 

One of the most effective ways to keep your house warm and reduce energy consumption at the same time, is to insulate it properly. There are parts of the house, such as windows, outside doors, walls, ceilings and even the floor, that we can insulate to avoid heat losses. Moreover, properly insulating these spaces will mean your heating will work more efficiently and consume less energy, which you are sure to notice in your heating bill.
 

Tips to avoid losing heat through doors and windows 

Doors and windows are the places where most heat can be lost from a house, sometimes up to 30-40% of the total loss. We are going to provide you with a practical, effective, low-cost guide to optimise energy-saving:
 

Outside doors:

1. Seal the frame and base
   1. Fit door seals to the sides and top.
   2. Place a lower brush draft excluder (under the door) to avoid drafts.
2. Insulate the door itself
   1. Attach an insulating sheet on the inside of the door (e.g. foam or decorative panel).
   2. If the door opens to a cold place, hang a thick curtain inside (a thermal or velvet curtain).
3. Check the door frame
   1. Heat is sometimes lost through the door frame or threshold: fill in the gaps with expanding foam or sealing silicone.

Windows:

1. Seal any gaps
   1. Fit self-adhesive seals (rubber, silicone or foam) to the frames. Check once a year: if they have gone hard or become loose, replace them.
   2. For sliding windows, use insulating brush seals.
2. Add extra insulation
   1. Apply insulating films or shrink sheets (transparent plastic) in winter: they will create a layer of air to keep the heat in.
3. Upgrade your curtains
   1. Use thick or insulating curtains, preferably consisting of several layers.
   2. Open them during the day to let the sunlight in, and close them at night to keep the heat inside.
   3. If the curtains do not reach down to the floor, add a skirting or inner lining.. Si puedes invertir, opta por doble o triple acristalamiento con cámara de aire o gas argón. Otra opción económica es colocar contraventanas o persianas interiores que refuercen el aislamiento.
4. Change or upgrade window panes. If you can invest in home improvements, choose double or triple glazing with air or argon gas cavities. Another cheaper option is to fit shutters or inside blinds that improve the insulation.

Best habits to keep your house warm without spending too much 

In addition to insulating those parts of your home, there are some good habits that will help to keep your house warm.

• Make the most of the natural heat of the sun by opening curtains during the day and closing them at night.
• Use your heating efficiently, setting it at a moderate, constant temperature.
• Improve comfort with simple, everyday habits, such as cooking or gathering together in communal spaces to make the most of the heat. 
• Guarantee long-term efficiency by keeping your heating system in good condition.

Common mistakes that increase energy consumption in winter  

A lot of homes consume more energy than necessary in winter due to common habits such as turning the heating up too high or heating rooms that are not used. Other common mistakes include not sealing gaps in doors and windows, installing radiators behind furniture or covering them with clothes, thereby preventing the circulation of air, and not making the most of natural heat from the sun by not opening the curtains during the day. These habits mean that a lot of the heat is lost, and significantly increase the heating bill.

Small things like closing the doors of empty rooms, cleaning radiators and making the most of solar energy, along with good insulation and regulating the heating, can considerably reduce energy consumption without foregoing comfort.