Have the holidays squeezed you leaving only peanuts for the New Year? 
Of course, we are not talking about your waist but pocket-wise! Generally, January is a month which most of us struggle, most especially when it comes to reading one’s bank statement. It is natural that keeping our houses warm is a luxury that most of us forget to put into account into our monthly budget over the festive season. However, what if there are ways to keep your home warm for much less? This would be an added value to you and you do not need foils or bubble wraps. Well, below are a few of the best tips on how you can keep your home warm for much less this year.
1. Bedding
One way is to ensure that you have appropriate top rated bedding during the cold months. A majority of stores do have guides on the packaging side and some do have samples for you to look and feel before making your decision.
If you have wooden flooring, you should consider laying down a few rugs by the bedside. Also, you should invest in some warm beautiful blankets that can be used either on top of your regular bedding or to cuddle up on the sofa while the heating is low. It is also the time to wear those Christmas socks as a way to put on a few extra layers.
2. Heat Radiators
Electric radiators come with programmable control systems, which help reduce operating costs as well as getting the flexibility of warming your home knowing that you have a state of the art devices from its category. A good example are the Vantage Radiators, which come with a whopping 30-years warranty as standard, with prices being less than £300. On the other hand, the Italian built designs come with 10-years warranty. They operate silently and are priced at less than £400.
Aside from saving money, you will not have to worry about bleeding the radiator in preparation for the cold months.
3. Smart Thinking
Installing smart meters is a great way to reduce and monitor your energy consumption in your home. Luckily, if you live in the UK, the good news is that you can get one of these devices for free; from now to 2020. Consult your energy provider today to get the opportunity to save.
4. Savvy Shopping
Another great way is to shop around for better deals on the web; using websites like Uswitch or comparethemarket.com. These websites offer some of the best deals that best suit your needs as well as home. You may save yourself hundreds of pounds.
5. The Interior Design
Research has proven that windows contribute to approximately 10 – 25% heat loss in a house. To improve this, experts recommend opening shades and curtains on the south-facing windows during the day to allow sunlight and heat to get in, which in turn warms the house. If this is not possible for you, do not worry. All you have to do is relocate your sofa away from the radiator and close all room doors. This technique will help you warm your home easily without even spending a single penny.
If you then have a fireplace, you should consider investing in a balloon to trap the warm air; hence preventing it from escaping out through the chimney. The balloon can then be deflated or moved to where you need warmth.
6. Insulation
This is a technique that all of us have heard from time to time. All-in-all, the best way to retain heat is through insulation. This should include installing double glazed windows, loft insulation, and even under-floor insulation. However, this technique is costly; the alternative is closing all windows and doors and avoid breeze or light wind using draught excluders.
7. The Winter Sunshine
If all the above tricks fail, then you can book for a winter sun break with all the money that you have saved using the techniques above.