Carbon monoxide dangers

Energy prices are on the increase again, leading to yet higher bills for the British consumer. But you can fight back against these bills by ensuring your
home is properly insulated. Here's a brief guide to insulation and how it could help you.

As a rule of thumb, older properties tend to need the most insulation work doing to them. But this doesn't mean to say that your modern home is as well insulated as it could be. So follow our list of cost-effective ways to shrink your gas bill this year:

Increase attic insulation

The roof is where your home will lose most of its heat, so it's important to have it properly insulated. Anything you can do to stop heat escaping is worth
doing. And if you can't afford to pay a tradesman to handle the job professionally, it's just as viable, and a good deal cheaper, to lay some
yourself. Insulating wool can be found in a variety of thicknesses, lengths and styles from your local hardware store or hardware superstore. Make sure to wear gloves and old protective clothing as some insulating products can irritate the skin.

Keep doors and windows weathertight

Round the edges of windows and doors is a big heatloss hotspot. Weatherstripping is a highly effective way to combat this problem, and its wallet-friendly price tag helps too.One piece of advice though is to do your weathersealing in temperatures above 20 degrees Fahrenheit, so that the strips remain pliable. You should always apply the strips to completely dry and clean areas so that good contact is made and the weathersealing lasts for as long as possible.

Consider expansion foam

Most houses have little nooks and crannies that let heat escape. But by filling these wherever possible with expansion foam you'll be able to trap that heat, however small, and make a difference to your family's future fuel bills.

Remember to check the basement

Crawlspaces and basements often have a variety of little gaps and crevices through which heat can escape. The same insulation wool as used throughout the
eves and attic of your home can be fitted by you in the basement. And expansion foam is a great product to use here to plug the smallest gaps of only an inch or two wide. The more gaps that are plugged the better, no matter how small.

Curtains

A lot of heat can be lost through windows, but by using blinds or curtains you'll be able to trap the cold air, keeping your house warmer for longer. The
thicker the blind or curtain, the more effective it will be.

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