With Eastern Australia seeing the coldest start to winter in over seven decades, now is a good time to discuss how best to make your home as warm as possible.
While one can rely on solutions involving heaters and ducted air-conditioning, especially when the deep cold sets in, there are valid concerns about the accompanying cost of electricity. Many homeowners are hesitant to turn on their heating because they believe they can actually hear the money being drained from their account as their home is being warmed.
Although electricity can be expensive, there are ways in which you can ensure you get the most out of your heating appliances. Here are some tried and trusted methods:
Door snakes
Door stoppers shaped like elongated semi-beanbags are usually placed at the bottom of doors to block cold draughts. If you are living in an older house where the doors do not have draught stoppers at the bottom, a door snake is a good and cost-effective way to stop heat from escaping and cool draughts from entering the house.
Window sealers and thicker curtains
Some windows can have tiny gaps between the window and the frame, which means cold air can sneak inside. Combined with the cold coming in through the glass, there is a lot of lost energy. A window sealer will be able to fill the gap to stop the cold air coming in and the heat escaping. To address the glass factor, opting for thicker curtains in winter will also reduce energy wastage by providing additional insulation. By blocking the cold that can seep through a window, your heating system will not have to work as hard, or as long, to keep your place warm.
Underfloor insulation
If you have a home that has old style wooden floors with nothing underneath except a crawl space, then there is a good chance cold air is seeping in through the cracks. This is where Foamex can help you.
Expol underfloor insulation is perfect for retrofitting in existing homes. Placed snugly between the floor joists, Expol will ensure your home is protected from extreme outdoor temperatures. Safe and easy to install, Expol underfloor insulation is great for keeping your home warmer in winter, and can save you up to 12% on your heating bill.
Expol is not just for existing homes; it can also be used in new builds – discuss this with your builder or architect.
Wall and roof insulation
Walls and roofs are two of the main areas responsible for loss of heat in a home. Keeping your walls and roof insulated will ensure your home stays warm and cosy during the upcoming winter months.
Both Foamex Styroboard EPS and Styroboard XPS are versatile forms of insulation. The extruded polystyrene sheets deliver excellent thermal insulation, with their R-values helping to increase your Energy Efficiency Rating (EER), which will add value to your home or build.
So if you really want to prepare your home for the upcoming winter, and would really love to save money on your electricity bill as well, please contact your local Foamex office or complete our online enquiry form.
