Beat the cold snap

Beat the cold snap

Winter is coming with the first cold snap hitting the country but you can make your home cosier with some simple, quick DIY.

EECA Enerywise advises prioritising cleaning the filters on your heat pump or dehumidifier so it runs properly.

Technical expert Christian Hoerning says heat pump filters should ideally be cleaned every few weeks during winter because they can get clogged.

If you own a dehumidifier, run it while you are heating the room.

“Dehumidifiers work best in warm rooms and all the electricity they use gets released as heat - so your heater needs to do less work.”

If the cold draughts are whistling through your home, Mr Hoerning suggests putting low-cost draught stopping tape around windows or doors and tightening up the hinges on doors and windows.

He says it’s important to avoid lots of moisture in the home over winter because it increases the risk of mould. Air your home by opening windows and doors a few times a day, even in winter, he says.

Other top tips:
Dry clothes outside or in a clothes dryer that is vented to the outside – avoid indoor airing racks or clothes dryers that vent into your house. The moisture in the clothes will end up in your home, making it damp.
Avoid unflued gas heaters which release toxic fumes and make your house damp. Cheap portable electric heaters are safer and cost less to run.
Check your insulation to make sure it is up to scratch and hasn’t been moved over the summer.

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