If you’re looking to get your home ready for the winter, there’s a lot that can be done. Improving your insulation, sealing up any air gaps, and servicing your boiler, for instance, can all help a lot. However, if your heating appliances just aren’t delivering the warmth that you need to be safe, healthy, and comfortable, it may be time to replace or expand your arsenal. Here are some of the upgrades that can keep you from freezing this winter.
Upgrade Your Radiators
If you want lasting warmth, then the material that goes into your radiators makes more of a difference than you might expect. For instance, the dense metal of traditional cast iron radiators is great not just for improving the surface area of your heating, but for retaining the heat for a lot longer, even after your boiler is switched off. Aside from their characteristic charm, bringing a touch of vintage flair to any space, they offer more consistent heat and can be paired just fine with any modern heating control systems.
Get Smart With Your Heating
Heating and energy control are becoming much more important in an age where the cost of living and sustainability are both topics brought up more frequently than ever. Smart thermostats are simple to install and work well with most traditional heating appliances, involving a central control unit and sensors throughout the home that allow you to automatically adjust temperatures either when you want to or based on your own routines, and which rooms you’re present in. Most of them can be controlled remotely, too, so you can make sure it’s turned off when you’re using the home, or start warming it up on your way back.
Add Underfloor Heating For A Little Comfort
While radiators might be just fine for the majority of rooms in the home, some rooms in particular are a little more apt to get colder, quicker. The bathroom is the one that comes to mind for most and, as such, underfloor heating has become a common upgrade to these rooms. By evenly spreading heat under the whole floor, it eliminates cold spots and stops the room from losing heat as quickly as it might otherwise. They’re also surprisingly energy efficient, but they do come with a considerable installation cost worth keeping in mind.
Do You Need To Replace Your Boiler?
Many of the appliances above rely on a functional boiler to meet their full potential. If you’re using an older boiler, then a modern condensing model might greatly improve efficiency and comfort by capturing and reusing the heat that would otherwise escape via exhaust gases. As such, more of your fuel gets converted into usable heat, reducing not just your energy bills but your impact on the environment through emissions. They’re compatible with most heating systems, including radiators and underfloor setups, so the next time you need to switch boilers, ask about them.
Whether it’s because your old heating appliances are a little worse for wear, or your home’s layout has changed, the upgrades above can ensure that you don’t have to worry too much about the chill.
