As the colder months approach, ensuring your home stays warm and cosy becomes a top priority. Not only does a warm home mean comfort, but it also helps reduce energy bills by improving efficiency. Various methods to keep your home warm, but some are more effective than others. In this blog, we explore seven ways to keep your home warm.

1. Install External Wall Insulation (EWI)

External wall insulation (EWI) is one of the most effective solutions for keeping your home warm. Many homes, especially older ones, lose significant heat through their walls. EWI adds a layer of insulation to the outside of your property, preventing heat from escaping and protecting your home from cold weather.

Applying an insulating material, such as polystyrene, mineral wool, or cork render, to the external walls, EWI improves warmth and enhances the building’s appearance. The result? A significant reduction in heat loss, lower energy bills, and a more comfortable home throughout the year.

This system is particularly effective for homes with solid walls, which are more prone to heat loss than cavity walls. Installing EWI can reduce heat loss by as much as 45%, making it the top recommendation for homeowners looking to keep their homes warm.

2. Insulate Your Loft or Roof

Heat rises; without proper insulation in your loft or roof, up to 25% of it could escape through the top of your home. Insulating your loft is a cost-effective way to prevent heat loss and keep your home warm. If your loft is already insulated, check if the insulation meets the recommended thickness, as older installations might be less effective.

3. Upgrade Your Windows with Double Glazing

Windows can be a major source of heat loss, especially if they’re single-glazed. Double or triple glazing can significantly reduce heat escaping from your home. These windows trap air between panes of glass, acting as a barrier to keep warm air in and cold air out. Double glazing not only helps keep your home warm, but it also reduces noise and can improve security.

4. Draught-Proof Your Home

Draughts around windows, doors, and even chimneys can let cold and warm air in. To combat this, draught-proofing is essential. Simple solutions, such as draught excluders for doors and windows or sealing gaps around letterboxes and chimneys, can make a noticeable difference to the warmth of your home.

5. Install Floor Insulation

If your home has suspended timber floors, you could lose heat through gaps between the floorboards. Installing insulation underneath the floorboards is a great way to warm your home. Solid floors can also be insulated, reducing heat loss and improving comfort, especially in ground-floor rooms.

6. Make Use of Smart Heating Controls

A more modern way to keep your home warm is by using smart heating controls. A smart thermostat allows you to control your heating remotely, ensuring your home is warm when needed. Smart systems can also adapt to your routine, helping you save on energy while maintaining a comfortable temperature indoors.

7. Service Your Boiler Regularly

An efficient boiler is essential for keeping your home warm. Regular servicing ensures your boiler is working properly and running efficiently, which can help reduce energy consumption and prevent unexpected breakdowns in the middle of winter. If your boiler is old or inefficient, upgrading to a more energy-efficient model might be worth considering.

Why External Wall Insulation is the Best Option to Keep Your Home Warm

While all the methods mentioned above can help keep your home warm, external wall insulation is the most impactful solution. It addresses one of the main sources of heat loss—your walls—and transforms the appearance of your home, protects it from the elements, and increases its value.