Why Your Home Feels Like an Igloo This Winter

Winter’s here, and instead of basking in a toasty haven, you’re sitting there questioning if your house is auditioning for a role as a meat freezer. So, what’s the deal? You can’t really save much money if you’re shivering and being miserable in your own house, right?

Sure, everyone knows about draughts and insulation, but what about the lesser-known things that steal your warmth (and basically cause you to waste money)? Well, let’s go ahead and take a look at some unexpected reasons your home might feel like it’s holding a grudge against you.

Your Walls are Acting Like Giant Sponges

Okay, for starters, damp walls are more than just an aesthetic nightmare, they’re heat thieves. When your walls are damp, (thanks to leaks or condensation), they act like massive sponges soaking up all the warmth in the room. It’s like your house is sweating out the heat you desperately want to keep.

This can actually lead to some mold happening too. So, it’s best to try sorting out damp spots or adding a moisture barrier that can stop your walls from robbing your cosy vibes.

Your Curtains are Running a Double Life

Curtains are supposed to be there to help you out by shielding you from the cold, right? But if they’re too long and cover your radiators, they might actually be hoarding the heat for themselves. Yep, your trusted curtains could be playing for the wrong team. This is actually where a lot of people make the mistake.

Instead, you should look into shorter curtains or tweaking how they hang can ensure your heat circulates where it’s supposed to, around you, not your windows.

It Might Be Your Chimney

Sure, in the wintertime, a chimney is super cute, especially around Christmas, but if you’re not using it, well, chances are, it’s probably funneling cold air straight into your living room. Even with the flue closed, there’s often enough of a gap to let the chill sneak through. Usually, a chimney balloon or draught stopper can shut down that issue (and it’s not too pricey either).

Your Furniture Is Holding You Back

Picture this: you’ve got a cosy sofa right in front of your radiator. Sounds perfect, right? Wrong. That oversized furniture is guzzling up all the heat meant for your room. It’s like parking a car in front of a heater and expecting the whole garage to stay warm. Moving your furniture around to give your radiators breathing room can work wonders—and it’s free.

Your Boiler Needs Some Love

Your boiler might not be glamorous, but it’s doing the heavy lifting for your comfort. For the most part, it’s doing about all of the heavy lifting. So, if it’s not performing well, your home won’t either. In fact, over time, boilers lose efficiency and start slacking on the job.

So that’s why it’s a good idea to look into a professional boiler service every couple of years since this basically fixes any problems before they even exist. Plus, these tune-ups save you so much money in the long run because you won’t have to stress over soaring energy bills.

Your Floors Are Sapping Your Heat

Hardwood and tiled floors might look amazing, but they can be sneaky heat vacuums. Actually, most people don’t even know that! If there’s no insulation underneath, your lovely warm air is vanishing into the abyss. Rugs can help, but if your floor’s insulation is the problem, it might be time to rethink what’s going on underfoot.