What are the ways to keep your home warm in winter?

It is indeed possible to precisely analyze a home's insulation and detect areas that cause heat loss using various technological devices. For example, you can call on a professional who will use an infiltration measuring device to detect air leaks in the home. It is also possible to use an energy assessment, which allows you to assess the home's energy consumption and suggest solutions for improving it.
Thanks to existing technological devices, it is now possible to precisely analyze the degree of insulation of a house, as well as the areas that cause heat loss.

Increasing the heating intensity without solving the underlying problem can only explode energy consumption. So here are some practical tips to keep the heat in your home, and have a peaceful winter, while saving energy.

Why is a house cold in winter?

Heat loss in a home is mainly due to a poor insulation of roofs, walls or attics, which causes hot air to rise upwards, or cold air to spread into the rooms. A faulty heating system or poorly adapted is also the cause of theaccumulation of cold air inside, especially when it is not heating continuously.
The principle is that it always takes more heat to warm the walls and partitions of the house than to warm the ambient air. So even if the air is warm, the coldness of the walls causes this feeling of cold among the inhabitants.

It is also important to point out that the walls in contact with the outside are constantly colder than those located inside the houseThere are many solutions for keeping your home warm, from small everyday tips to major renovations. In any case, don't hesitate to seek the help of an insulation professional, who is able to conduct an energy audit and suggest the most appropriate solutions for each situation.

Have a suitable heating system

Heating is arguably the first thing to consider when your home isn't warm enough in winter. The type of heating system to install should be selected based on the size of your home, your budget, and the desired thermal performance.

The most popular and widespread is undoubtedly the Electric heating, which is appreciated for its ease of use. The gas heating is easy to install, because it is connected to the city gas network, it does not require any tank and offers high energy efficiency.

Le oil heating is usually installed as part of a renovation or replacement of an existing system, and it requires the installation of chimney flues. The wood stove and the pellet stove are wood heaters particularly appreciated for their autonomy and ease of use.

But, the heating model the The most economical is undoubtedly the heat pump, which returns approximately 4 times more energy than it consumes.

If renovation work is planned, then it is wise to take advantage of it to install an innovative, efficient, economical and ecological heating system, such as a condensing boiler or a renewable energy system. It should be noted that financial assistance is available for energy renovation work.
Le choosing the best heating system must be done according to the heating capacity of the device, expressed in kW, which is calculated according to several criteria, including mainly:

• The volume of the accommodation,
• The desired temperature inside the house,
• The quality of the insulation and possible heat loss,
• The geographic area where the home is located.

In some cases, it is possible toinstall additional heating working with the renewable energies, like a wood stove. The advantage of this solution is to bring more heat to the house, without increase energy consumptionThis type of device offers a rapid return on investment, as the budget spent on the initial installation is quickly recouped by the use of wood, which is an inexpensive fuel.

Furthermore, it is interesting to program the heating so that it diffuses the right temperatures at the right times, when the house is occupied, or when it is empty. A Excessive heating increase is unreasonable and economically unviable, knowing that the ideal temperature for a living room is 19°C.
Le heating can be adjusted to 12° when the occupants of the house are away, in order to prevent the pipes from freezing. The good news is that there are now smart radiators on the market, which adjust the temperature according to the rhythm of the occupants, memorizing their habits thanks to integrated sensors.

Finally, we must not forget themaintenance of heating appliances, which is a crucial operation for the proper functioning of the system, and which allowsavoid overconsumption of energy, as well as the decline in equipment performance. Maintenance involves purging radiators and sweeping chimneys at least once a year. As for boilers, it is best to entrust their maintenance to a specialist.

Monitor heat loss through doors and windows

Openings are the first element to be reinforced, as they are often the source of a large portion of heat loss in a home. Having double or triple glazing on windows is a considerable asset that should not be underestimated, as single glazing is an easy passage for air.
To limit heat loss through openings, certain actions can be taken on a daily basis, without necessarily having to carry out any work.

• Hang thick, heavy curtains instead of simple sheers and light fabrics.
• Install adhesive seals around air inlets, avoiding ventilation ducts, of course. This is a simple repair that can compensate for some insulation defects.
• Place a draught excluder at the bottom of the door to block air entry.
• Open the curtains during the day to let the light rays in through the window.
• Close curtains tightly at night and lower blinds to prevent heat loss.
• Add insulation around windows to reduce drafts.

If the windows are aging, then it is wise to replace them with quality windows, offering good thermal performance, knowing that this type of work is eligible for tax credits.

Insulate the home well

After installing a suitable heating system, it is essential to review the insulation of the home to ensure heat retention inside.
Proper insulation allows you to save on your energy bill; it is the most cost-effective solution that guarantees a limitation of heating use.

The principle consists of placing a product or a insulating material à inside the walls, on the roof or the floor, to limit heat loss and maintain a stable temperature over time. When the heat remains constant longer inside, the occupants of the house use heating appliances less, which leads to lower energy consumption.
Heating a poorly insulated house is a highly energy-intensive operation, it is therefore It is essential to insulate the walls and floors, as well as the roofs and attics.. For this, the most common materials are rock or glass wool and cellulose wadding, for their thermal properties.

To enjoy optimal thermal comfort, the best solution is to undertake energy renovation work. An audit conducted by a professional allows you to check the condition of your current insulation and identify areas that generate the most heat loss.
Insulation of the roof, attic and floors are at the top of the most effective works in terms ofenergy saving, and they are eligible for financial aid such as that from Anah. Energy renovation aid is available to both owners and tenants, under certain conditions.

For improve attic insulation, it is advisable to ensure that insulate the roof access hatch. On the other hand, we must not neglect insulation of heating and hot water pipes, as well as the floor, by installing specific coverings to prevent air from entering the house through the floor.