The cold is like the typical person you don’t expect to arrive suddenly. There are years when the low temperatures take over the atmosphere on the Costa Blanca and there is no stopping them. This time of year can be unpleasant if your house is not properly insulated.
Although the Mediterranean coast enjoys perfect temperatures all year round, there are times when we wake up to snow and sub-zero temperatures. Especially in the more mountainous areas. So that you are not caught unawares, here are five infallible tips to keep your home warm during the coldest months of the year.
CHECK EVERY CORNER OF YOUR HOME
One of the first steps in combating the cold in a home is to inspect the doors and windows. Why? We can discover if there are cracks and gaps in them that cause a loss of heat in the room.
Also, make sure that the joints and frames are sealed. In the event that we find damage to them, we recommend:
- Apply a polyurethane foam sealant: First cut the sealant nozzle to a suitable size for the gaps, apply the foam in the gaps and wait for it to dry completely.
- Fill the gaps with acrylic caulk: Apply a coat of acrylic caulk over the dried foam to seal any gaps or cracks that may remain. Allow to dry completely.
- Paint or tape over the sealed areas: Once the putty is dry, you can paint or tape over the sealed areas to match the colour of the frames.
With these steps you could have your house well insulated from the cold and you will be able to reduce energy losses in the home by 70%. However, these steps may need to be repeated annually.
TREAD SAFELY
Parquet has become a good option for insulating a home from the cold. Wood is a natural material that is good at retaining heat and helps to retain low temperatures outside. In addition, wood can be a good choice if you are looking for a natural and warm appearance in your home.
However, if you want an extra layer of protection on the floor, you can resort to a carpet, to improve heat retention.
Another of the best options on the market for insulating against the cold is laminate flooring. This is made of a layer of material composed of resin-coated paper and a layer of aluminium, which makes them resistant to water and wear and tear.
CHECK THE HEATING SYSTEM
If you have a heating system in your home, before the onset of winter, check that it is working properly. Clean it and check for leaks in the pipes. This way, you can be sure that, during the colder months, it is working efficiently and will not use more energy than necessary.
In addition, the temperature inside the house is essential to cope with the cold. It is therefore recommended that the temperature in your home should be 21 degrees, which is an important factor when it comes to saving on bills.
THE BEST PRODUCTS TO INSULATE AGAINST THE COLD
Technological advances in manufacturing processes have given us the possibility of choosing between different materials that offer the best thermal benefits for the home.
- Cellulose: It has become one of the materials par excellence when it comes to insulating against the cold. It is also an economical, natural and ecological option.
- Cork: It seals the gaps that can be found in door and window frames.
- Polyurethane foam: Little by little it has been gaining ground over cork, being the option that achieves greater savings in the energy consumption of the house.
- Expanded polystyrene: This material is ideal for the walls of the house. Manufactured in the form of sheets or blocks, it creates a warm atmosphere in the home.
