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We all make financial sacrifices, but a warm and cosy home should be nonnegotiable. We’re sharing smart upgrades and clever hacks designed to maximise the benefits of your indoor heating this winter – without blowing the budget.
Safety tip: Always wear the appropriate safety equipment (safety glasses, gloves, ear muffs and a mask, for example) and always follow the instructions for the product or equipment.
When a home is well insulated, heat is prevented from escaping through the walls, roof, and other surfaces. “Less energy is required to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature,” says Guy Manthel of Knauf Insulation.
Not sure whether your insulation needs updating? Firstly, consider that older homes may not have any insulation at all. Secondly, look at your energy bills. “Consistently high bills could be a sign that your insulation – if you have it – is no longer performing effectively,” says Guy.
An uneven temperature is another clue. Having some rooms significantly cooler than others can signal poorly installed or ineffective insulation.
Updating your insulation may be an achievable D.I.Y. job, particularly in the ceiling. “When retrofitting ceiling insulation, it’s important to choose a product with a suitable R-value – a measure of insulation’s resistance to heat flow – for the specific location, and ensure it is installed correctly,” advises Guy.
Unless you’re doing an extensive renovation, retrofitting wall insulation can be a complex task. If you have access to the ceiling and underfloor, Guy suggests insulating these first, using the highest R-value possible for the ceiling to help compensate for uninsulated areas.
To find the draughts, close all windows and doors, and turn off appliances that might create a breeze. Light a candle and carefully hold it near the window and door frames, running it up and down, watching for a flicker in the flame.
The most common draughts can be simply fixed with a few cheap D.I.Y. tools. Using a caulking gun and gap filler, you can easily fill cracks between the walls, windows, or doorframes, and even between timber floorboards. Adhesive weather seal tape can be applied around windows and doorframes, where wind often whistles in. Seal the bottom of exterior doors by installing a door sweep or utilising an old-fashioned door snake.
Shutters are efficient insulators and are also good for light control – although they’re not the most affordable option.
Curtains are a more cost-effective solution. “For maximum insulation and protection against cold drafts, we recommend you opt for block out curtains,” says Maddy Porter of Smart Home Products. “Block out fabric is designed to retain warmth and prevent air infiltration, helping to keep your interior spaces cosy and comfortable.”
Tip: Look for extra width in your curtain rail as well, so the curtains extend beyond the window frame, which can help prevent heat sneaking out through the sides.
Heat may also be escaping through the top of the curtain rail. For a quick fix, consider rolling up a towel and placing it on top of the curtains to plug the gap.
Interested in heating your home for free? Harness the power of the sun. Passive solar energy simply requires that you allow sunlight in at the right time of day. Open the curtains during the day for free heat. Soak up the rays, boost your mood, and increase the temperature all at once. Then close the curtains before sunset to lock in the warmth and prevent the chill creeping in.
If solar is a suitable solution, consider a future investment in a solar hot water system. Heating water accounts for up to a quarter of an average home’s energy usage, while a solar system preheats the water, slashing bills, and eventually paying for itself. You may also be eligible for government rebates**.
It sounds counter-intuitive, but your ceiling fan can actually help heat your home. Check if your fan has a reverse or ‘winter’ mode. On most models, this changes the fan direction to clockwise which, when run at a low speed, pulls cooler air upwards and moves warm air that has collected near the ceiling back down to where you need it most.
There’s no point in heating the house if you don’t need to. When there’s a chill in the air, put on a jumper or reach for a throw. A wearable electric blanket is particularly handy for those who feel the cold more than most.
Timber boards or floor tiles that feel so deliciously cool in summer can get a bit too cold in winter. And those gaps between floorboards can be a source of draughts.
The answer is rugs. Not only are they ideal insulators, rugs will also give you a lovely soft surface underfoot. And the bigger the better – the more floor you can cover, the better insulated your room will be.
Consider a wool rug as they are great insulators. But whatever material you go for, thickness is what will solve your cold conundrum. If your rugs are thin, try using more than one, layering them or bulking them up with a felt rug pad.
Turn it down. Set the temperature to between 18 and 22 degrees Celsius – any higher is not necessary.
Timing is everything. Rather than blasting the heater at max temp when you come home, set it on a timer to turn on 15 minutes before your expected return. Or, if it’s Wi-Fi connected, switch it on using your smartphone on the way home.
Switch it off. Turn the heater off when you’re not in the room and don’t leave it on overnight. If you do need all-night heating, lower the temperature to 16 to 18 degrees Celsius.
Use a fan. Electric heaters aren’t the most efficient option, but you can boost their effectiveness by switching on the fan function. And if there is no fan function, try pointing a small desk fan at the heater to help distribute the heat throughout the room.
Give a full service. Maintain heaters to keep them running at peak efficiency. Clean filters regularly, have the reverse cycle air con serviced professionally, and the chimney and/or flue swept annually if you’re running a wood burner.
Rugs can add warmth and a refreshed aesthetic to any space. Check out this guide to learn how rugs can elevate your home in the colder months.
Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered.
Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.
When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.
