Created in collaboration with Viessmann
In the UK we’re seeing more extremes in temperature both in the summer and in winter. Coupled with high energy prices, it can be difficult to achieve the perfect temperature at home without it being too costly. But there are some solutions, like air source heat pumps from Viessmann, that allow you to achieve an optimum temperature without fear of a scary bill later. Here, we look at some of the solutions you can put in place that can help you achieve a comfortable temperature, whatever the weather.
All weather solutions
Convert to an air source heat pump
Conventional heating systems offer exactly that, a heating solution. And with the high energy costs we’ve seen recently, at a crippling cost. It’s become so expensive that as many as 1.7m people wouldn’t turn their heating on in winter last year.
Viessmann are a leading manufacturer of energy systems and have a number of different types of heat pumps. One type of heat pump rising in popularity is the air source heat pump. A great alternative which takes in heat from the outside, in temperatures as little as -15, and with the use of electricity turns this into usable heat through your radiators and hot water. As well as providing heat in the colder months, an air source heat pump cooling system, an add-on that effectively acts as an air conditioning system in the home, offers a versatile and cost-effective solution, whatever the weather.
Although it entails an initial investment, the air source heat pumps are easier to install than ground source heat pumps and they’re currently part of the government ‘Boiler Upgrade Scheme’ where you can get £7,500 towards the upgrade of your heating system.
Summer cooling solutions
In the summer months, particularly when we’re in the throes of a heatwave, the advice is to keep the sun out as much as possible, and let air flow in the evening. Here’s how you can do that in a comfortable way.
Install blackout blinds or heat reflection films
Blackout thermal blinds are great at stopping sunlight getting into the rooms but they also have the added benefit in reflecting heat back out. This helps to keep the room as cool as possible.
During the hottest points of the day, usually between 11-2pm, or when the temperature outside is hotter than you’d want inside, keep the blinds and curtains closed. In addition to blackout thermal blinds, thermal and light coloured blinds can be effective at reflecting sunlight away from the room.
Install bug or fly screens
During the evening when you want to let the cool air flow through the house, open windows at opposite ends of the house to create a cross breeze. But opening the windows at night comes with annoying pests like mosquitos, gnats, fruit flies and spiders. To allow the air to flow, and to keep these pests out, install bug or fly screens. Made from a mesh-like material, these screens, which can be magnetic add-ons once the window is open, or installed to pull over an open window, allows for plenty of air flow whilst minimising the number of bugs that can get in.
Winter efficiency solutions
Upgrade your radiator systems
With conventional heating costs the way they are, upgrading your radiator systems may help to reduce the costs to heat your home.
In addition to the radiators themselves, which new ones can be more efficient as they need less water, heat faster and hold on to the heat longer, ensure that you have thermostatic valves installed to control the temperatures they emit.
With thermostatic radiator valves you can adjust the settings for each room, allowing you to heat rooms you’re using, maintain optimum sleeping temperatures at night, and for when you go away during the winter months, allow the system to continue working at low temperatures to prevent the system freezing up in the severest weather. All of this helps to save on energy costs and create a more ambient temperature across the different rooms in the home.
Plush throws and cushions and heated blankets
To help keep heating costs down further, upgrade soft furnishings for the plushest throws and cushions to snuggle up on the sofa or in bed on those colder evenings, particularly if you’re able to contain yourself to a room or two. If you’re wanting to use heated blankets, especially in the bedroom, ensure it is turned off 30-60 minutes before bed as you need your body temperature to cool in order to get the best night’s sleep.
What are some of the tactics you use to maintain an optimum temperature at home? Let us know in the comments below.
