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Tel: 01485 540620 email: editor@townandaround.net Hunstanton Town & Around September 2017 69

Keeping your home, toasty for Winter…

the world of interior décor with Harry!

Seeing the title of this feature, you may be cursing me already!
However, if you are like me and your spirit animal is from the tropics,
being cold isn’t an option! And preparation is key, to staying warm
during winter… so in this month’s feature, I shall be looking at 5
simple ways, in keeping your home toasty for Winter.
As a teenager, during the winter, I would be told off for turning up But going for the right multi
the thermostat and not closing my curtains! And now I know why… fuel stove can be tricky, that’s
the key to keeping your home warm in winter, isn’t cranking up the why it best to seek the advice
heat input, but controlling your homes heat loss. of a professional. When I installed two into my
Insulation – It’s a little know fact that heat rises and cold air sinks! home last year, I contacted Neil at ICS Chimney Solutions
So, to prevent that heat rising and escaping through our roofs, it’s (01485 601477), not only did Neil advise me on the right stove to get,
important to make sure your loft has enough insulation. A few years he stopped me from overheating my house!! And there can be such a
ago, the recommended amount of insulation was 20cm. But now the thing!
recommended depth is 25cm to 27cm, so it is important to check your So, get ready and cosy for winter by managing your heat loss, rather
depth! And now is a great time to do so! Because if your insulation is than focusing on the input! Add an extra layer of warmth to your walls,
lower than the required minimum, your energy company will install it by investing in your own home library. Then snuggle up in front of
for free! your wood burner, with a good book and a fireside treat.
Close your curtains at night – My teenage faux pas! Not only will In my next feature, I shall be taking you to bed!
this stop, people peeping in! But will also help heat from escaping.
After dusk, the outside temperature drops and heat shall escape through
your windows… even double glazing, will have some heat loss! By
closing your curtains or blinds, your creating a barrier between your
room and your window, helping to reduce heat escaping.
Cover your front door – Next to windows, any external door is a
gateway for your house to lose heat. In the same way of closing your
curtains, the objective is to create a barrier between your room, an
external opening and the outside air. Curtains are a great way to create
a barrier and Wool curtains are even better, due to wools natural
insulating properties.
Add an extra layer to your walls – And by this, I don’t mean cavity
insulation (although that is also helpful). Wall hangings are a great way
to offer an extra layer of insulation and has been practiced ever since
the medieval times, with embellished tapestries, decorating the walls
of many feudal halls. But failing that, mirrors and pictures will do.
Although bookshelves are the best, due to their depth along the wall
and paper being a great insulator, helping you keep your home cosy
and encouraging you to snuggle down with a book.
Don’t let it go up the chimney! – In these modern days, it’s safe to
say an old fashioned open fire, is more for ambiance rather than
heating. As open fires tend to lose most of their heat, up your chimney
and into your chimney stack. So, multi fuel stoves are a far more
advantageous way, in heating your home and giving that cosy
ambience. As, not only will the fire warm your chimney, it will also
warm the stove itself! Radiating heat out into your home, even after Cosy and inviting, this sitting room will make a warm winters retreat
the fire has gone out. Photo Credit: Housetohome.co.uk