Are you looking to make a significant cut in your heating bills? Consider these simple DIY hacks that could help you save up to half your current costs.
Understanding the Role of Insulation
Insulating your home is a key determinant in improving energy efficiency and ensuring comfort. The procedure involves using various materials such as stone, marble, granite, and ceramic, which are known for their excellent thermal insulation properties.
The Radiators’ Placement
Typically, radiators are installed under windows to create a warm air curtain. This strategic placement prevents cold air from entering your home. The need for such precise positioning, however, can be eliminated with proper insulation.
Reflective Insulation
Instead of resisting heat flow, reflective insulation bounces back heat, helping to keep your home warm. Various materials can be utilized for reflective insulation, including aluminum sheets, polyethylene bubbles, cardboard, kraft paper, and plastic sheets. These thin materials save space and retain heat effectively, making them a great option for insulating your home.
Sustainable Heat Retention
Keeping the heat within your house is a practical way to keep your space cozy and reduce your heating costs. Some of the ways to achieve this include reflecting radiator heat and using bubble wrap.
Reflecting Radiator Heat
Special insulation films are available for radiators to reflect heat back into the room. A classic DIY hack is to use kitchen foil cut to the size of the radiator and held in place using double-sided tape. This method is particularly effective for radiators under windows to prevent heat escape. Do note that over time, foil tends to crinkle and deteriorate, reducing its heat reflection. For a more efficient and durable solution, consider specialized radiator reflective films.
Using Bubble Wrap
Bubble wrap is another effective insulator that you can implement to delay the start of heating. All you need to do is to cut the bubble wrap to the size of your window. Ensure the bubble side is sprayed with water and carefully applied to the windows. The air within the bubbles creates an insulating barrier that significantly reduces heat loss through windows.