When most people think about lowering their home’s energy bills, they immediately gravitate towards the construction materials used to build it. Well, that and maybe the insulation and roof as well. And yes, all of those are valid; those do impact the energy bills, and just the general warmth and heat retention in the home, too. But as a homeowner, you should also keep in mind that your energy bill goes far beyond these factors.
Sometimes, even the aesthetics actually make an impact here, too. A lot of the time, it’s not one big issue. It’s a bunch of aesthetic choices that look lovely, but don’t do the home any favours when it comes to heat retention.
Have Old Windows?
Now, needless to say here, bay windows look fantastic, but older bay window setups can be a common source of draughts. All those panes and edges can create more opportunities for cold air to creep in. So the room looks bright and charming, but it’s also the room where everyone’s sat with a blanket like it’s normal, right? Again, very beautiful, very aesthetically pleasing here too, but is it worth it to have this as an issue for your home?
Actually, stained glass and older feature glazing can have the same issue. It’s beautiful and full of character, but it often isn’t designed around modern insulation standards. If it’s part of the main exterior glazing, it can contribute to rooms feeling chilly and harder to heat evenly.
What About Your Front Door?
A front door gets used constantly, and even small gaps around the frame or at the bottom can let cold air roll in. And once a door is draughty, it’s not just the entryway that suffers. But sure, just about every door out there honestly has this issue. Hence why you need to weatherstrip (and you need to check on this annually, too). Some people even hang curtains in front of their doors, too.
But another problem here would be the fact that old doors can warp over time, seals can fail, and letterboxes can let in more air than people realise. Sure, old doors are super charming, but it just might be time to retire the old door and switch it for something that can help save money on your heating rather than just dealing with a cold house for the sake of aesthetics. There’s plenty of newer and stronger doors out there that are just as charming as old doors.
Soft Furnishings Can Make Rooms Harder to Heat
But how? Well, not all of them, but sometimes, and it just depends on what, too. For example, window treatments can be a hidden factor. While sure, thin curtains look neat, but they don’t do much against a cold window. Honestly, you’re better off only using thin drapes during the summer months.
But thicker curtains, like blackout ones, can help block out drafts (and some people use them in the summer months too). It’s not too different for rugs; a thin one won’t insulate the room like a thick one can.
Don’t Forget Furniture Placement
Specifically, if there’s any large pieces of furniture blocking the heater so it can’t move within the space correctly, then that’s a big issue. Most people try to avoid this mistake, but sometimes the heater is awkwardly placed, so you’re having ot decide to place your furniture in an aesthetically pleasing manner or have an awkward layout, but then the space is comfortable.