How to winter-proof your home

It's the first day of winter and the cold weather has arrived.

Fortunately, there are some simple ways to winter-proof your home by keeping the cold out and sealing in the warmth, including sealing windows and doors, closing blinds and adding insulation. They not only help you stay warm, but can also save you money in energy costs.

What are your tips for keeping your house warm this winter and your energy bills as low as possible?

Please add them by replying below.

Jason

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Heating and Cooling

Lighting and Electrical

Doors and Windows

Comments

Isobel

Insulation is so important. Makes a huge difference.

A much more simple tip is just keeping a rug or two or a doona on the couch for when watching TV. I get cold when I'm not moving around the house, but being able to huddle under a rug stops the temptation of turning up the heating too high.

CathD

Yes, I'm sure I've said it before here but don't forget the simple draught stopper or door snake. They really can make a difference to the temperature of a room.

Sporky

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/3078#Comment_3078

I have a problem with heating in my house. We have our kitchen and living separated from our bedrooms and bathroom by a door and hallway.the heater points away from that part of the house and I'm finding that it's 24 in one half and 16 in the other!!

We are using blankets and have draught stopped our back doors but I think the cold is getting in through the windows... does that sound stupid?

Is there a way to "push" the air to circulate throughout the house? I live in housing that I can't renovate so ducted heating isn't an option 🙁

Isobel

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/63830#Comment_63830

You might also want to get your windows sealed @Sporky.

People also use ceiling fans in reverse mode in winter to push warm air around the house.

Sporky

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/94438#Comment_94438

Oh... what does that entail? Sorry, I've never heard of sealing windows. I thought glaziers did that when they installed them.... just goes to show how much I need to learn!!

I don't have a ceiling fan but I do have a reverse air con heater thing.... should I try that on fan only mode?

Isobel

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/113613#Comment_113613

Pretty easy @Sporky. You just use foam weather strips to stop the cold air from coming in between the window and the frame.

This should help - https://www.bunnings.com.au/diy-advice/home-improvement/windows/how-to-seal-a-window

Sporky

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/124425#Comment_124425

Hi @Isobel sorry to bother you again but my windows don't open so there is no gap between the window and frame... or maybe there is but I can't figure it out?

It looks like the guy opened the window, installed the strip and closed it again. Where do you install it if the window is solid and doesn't open?

Isobel

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/131657#Comment_131657

If your windows don't open then you're all good @Sporky. There's no gap to seal. 😆

Do your windows have curtains or blinds? That's the other element to consider for keeping the room warm.

Sporky

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/136077#Comment_136077

Ahhhh I think I've found the culprit!! I have "blockout" blinds but no curtains. The air seems to be coming off the window and straight into our bedrooms. I haven't been able to afford to install curtain rods for heavy winter drapes or light summer lace.

I have hung a woolen blanket (the itchy kind) up on our bedroom window frame and screwed it into place. This will have to do until MIL cones down or I can find curtain rods at the op shop 🙂

Thank you @Isobel!

Isobel

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/139092#Comment_139092

No problem @Sporky. Hope that helps and you stay warm!

Jason

Hope everyone is staying safe and well. And that you're also staying warm. Here in Melbourne we've just experienced a wild night of fierce wind and I see it has been very cold and wet in many other parts of the country.

If you have any tips to help other members keep the house warm while ensuring those power bills are as low as possible, please share them by replying below.

I will also ask @MitchellMc to add some tips tomorrow.

Jason

mich1972

We need to get some foam strips to stop our bathroom door being noisy on stormy windy nights

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/13759#Comment_13759

Thanks for the tag, @Jason.

A few tips from me are:

Easily check your doors and windows for draughts on those windy days by holding a piece of tissue papers up against their internal frame. If the paper moves in the breeze, you should seal it up. Use a rubber seal to fill the gap, and there is a wide range of options available.

Door snakes aren't just for front doors. Use them to isolate rooms to keep heat trapped within the areas you're using.

Heavy linen or woollen curtains that fall below the window sill are a fantastic way to stop heat loss through windows. Adding pelmets can also assist.

Don't let cold air sneak in through your bathroom exhaust fans. Install a Draft Stoppa Ceiling Exhaust Cover to prevent this.

I'd love to hear any other helpful tips and tricks our members have discovered.

Mitchell

Akanksha

Winter is officially here again (brrr!). What is everyone doing to stay warm and keep energy bills low this year?

In case you've missed them, we've got some excellent resources that can help winter-proof your home, including:

A comprehensive guide on How to keep your home warm in winter by experienced Workshop member @Adam_W
10 ways to stay warm in winter, which contains useful advice and inspiring projects shared by Workshop members
How do you keep your home warm in the winter?, which includes a summary of practical tips and products you can use.

Stay toasty, everyone!

Akanksha

JDE

Great stuff. Also if you have evaporative air conditioning dont forget to seal the vents. This can be as simple as if you have old industrial type vents sliding a piece of cardboard between the rows of fins. If you have the newer 4 squares vent they can be individually wrapped in clingwrap or a freezer bag and put back in place. You can lift them out by gently pushing on them. Don't forget to remove your seals before switching the cooler back on in summer. Heat rises you will never heat a house while you have a massive leak in the ceiling JDE

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