Keeping your indoor temperature just right, whatever the weather, is key to a happy, healthy home – here’s how to do it
Your home is your haven, providing not just physical comfort, but the serenity we crave when life gets busy. During the autumn and winter months, this is especially true. When it’s cold outside, who doesn’t love coming inside to a toasty, inviting home and curling up with a good book and a warm drink? While turning on the heating might be your first instinct, there are other ways to create a cosy indoor environment that are gentler on your bills. Here are five smart home upgrades to consider to reduce heat loss and boost your home’s energy efficiency in the long run.
1. Add insulation
When it comes to keeping your home warm, the first important step is to stop heat from escaping in the first place. Insulation and sealing minimises heat loss through your walls, ceiling, roof and floors, reducing your bills and helping you maintain a comfortable and harmonious home. Studies in the US show that insulating and sealing your home’s envelope – its outer walls, ceiling, windows, doors and floors – can save you up to 20% on heating and cooling.
The benefits don’t end there. Quality insulation also provides acoustic insulation, reducing outside noise such as traffic and barking dogs, as well as the transfer of sound between floors, so you can enjoy more peace and quiet. Already have insulation? Consider having it checked by a professional. You may want to top it up to give energy efficiency a further boost.
2. Upgrade your windows and roof windows
Windows are another crucial part of the energy-efficiency equation. According to US studies, a massive 30% of heat energy can be lost through poorly performing windows – that’s a big hit on your bills. Leaky roof windows are another culprit when it comes to energy loss, forcing your heating to work harder than it should.
If you’ve decided to replace your underperforming roof windows, be sure to choose high-quality ones with an airtight seal. VELUX roof windows are designed with ThermoTechnology glazing, providing superior insulation, energy efficiency and a tight seal that helps maintain your home’s temperature.
3. Consider roof window blinds and shutters
Adding the right blinds and shutters to quality roof windows can also make a big difference in maintaining a stable indoor temperature, without the need to turn on the heating or cooling.
VELUX anti-heat blinds, which are made from transparent mesh fabric, draw natural light and views into your home, while turning down the heat and glare. Particularly useful in home offices, living rooms and other spaces you spend time in during the day, anti-heat blinds can be a reliable first line of defence in keeping these rooms comfortably cool and improving energy-efficiency.
For even more protection, VELUX anti-heat blackout shutters prevent your room from getting too hot in summer, while keeping it warm in winter. Installed in bedrooms, anti-heat blackout shutters also help to guarantee a better night’s sleep by cutting out light and reducing noise.
In the colder months of the year, remember to open blackout blinds and shutters during the day to allow maximum sunlight into your home. Winter sun is not only uplifting, it can also help to naturally warm up rooms.
4. Enable smart home tech
Make it easy to keep your home energy-efficient with smart tech. Modern smart-home systems don’t just track energy use, but help you create a healthier home.
For example, with VELUX ACTIVE with NETATMO you can automate your solar or electric VELUX roof windows, blinds and shutters to all work together to maintain a comfortable living environment. Thanks to built-in climate sensors that monitor indoor temperature, humidity and CO2 levels inside your home, this smart system can detect changes in the environment and signal your VELUX products to adjust accordingly. Too hot inside? The system will automatically open roof windows to let in a breeze without you having to lift a finger or adjust the thermostat.
Fresh air and natural light are proven to have a positive impact on our mental and physical health. If you suffer from headaches or irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, but only experience these symptoms at home, it might be a sign that your indoor environment needs attention. With the VELUX ACTIVE with NETATMO app, you can check your indoor climate on your smartphone and make the necessary changes, such as adjusting ventilation or filtering the air, so your home remains a healthy environment for everyone.
5. Create zones
To optimise energy efficiency, be strategic with heating and cooling and focus on the rooms you’re actually using. Closing the doors to unused spaces prevents energy from being wasted and allows your heating or cooling system to work more effectively, targeting the areas that matter most.
But don’t stop at doors – your floors are just as important. In the colder months, floors can be a significant source of heat loss, especially if they’re bare. Laying down thick, plush rugs can help trap warmth, reducing the strain on your heating system. They also create a cosy ambience that draws people in, making your living spaces more inviting.
More: For more information on the range of roof windows and exterior heat protection products available from VELUX, visit their website.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
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