Winter home hacks

Winter can be cold, damp and expensive in New Zealand, with Kiwi homes being notoriously draughty and difficult to heat.

But don’t let the season get the better of you. We’ve got cost-effective tips to make your home warm and comfortable without costing the earth.

Get rid of damp

A damp house is much harder to heat than a dry one. Did you know that cooking can add up to 3L of moisture to your home each day, and showers and baths contribute up to 1.5L a day per person? So, what can you do to remove excess moisture?

• On fine days, dry clothes outside rather than using an indoor drying rack.
• Use a moisture absorber in your wardrobe or cupboards to keep things dry.
• Indoor plants increase condensation, so consider not adding to your plant population in the coldest months.
• Use extractor fans in bathrooms and kitchens – just make sure they’re vented outside.
• If you need to install new extractor fans, clothes dryers, or deal with any leaks that might be contributing to dampness, AA Home can help.

Stop draughts

Spaces in floors, doors and windows allow cold air to enter your home and warm air to escape, so it pays to close the gaps. This doesn’t have to be expensive.

• Use self-adhesive draught-stopping tape around windows, and door snakes or even rolled up towels to block the gaps under doors.
• Be strategic about opening and closing doors to maximise airflow – shut doors to rooms you rarely use but open the ones between frequently occupied spaces to allow warm air to circulate.
• Book a door or window repair with AA Home to tackle loose hinges, gaps or joinery issues.

Sort your insulation

A staggering 42% of heat is lost through our ceilings and another 10% through our floors. But you don’t need expensive insulation to make your home cosier – some simple hacks include:

• Well-fitted curtains. These make a big difference, as according to Energywise.govt.nz good curtains can slash heat loss by up to 60%. If you don’t want to fork out for new drapes, simply clip thermal linings or even fleece blankets to the back of your existing curtains.
• Double glazing is a game-changer, but if you’re on a budget, try a window insulator kit that you can stick onto your window glass yourself.
• Warm up hard floors with rugs. You can find bargains on Trade Me and Facebook Marketplace, or visit op shops or your local carpet shop for discounted offcuts.

Heat your home

The World Health Organisation recommends that indoor temperatures should be at least 16ºC in our bedrooms and 18ºC in our living areas, which means that good heating is essential in winter. What can you do to crank up the heat without breaking the bank?

• To help reduce condensation, use low levels of constant heat rather than high levels in short bursts.
• Leave your oven door ajar once you’ve finished cooking to let more warmth into your home.
• Reposition your furniture, especially beds, away from external walls
• Keep beds warm with wheat bags, hot water bottles or electric blankets. Contrary to popular belief, electric blankets are not that expensive to run. According to Consumer NZ, using your electric blanket every night will cost just over $10 per winter!
• Clean your heat pump filters regularly. Dust and dirt buildup makes the unit work harder, increasing energy use. AA Home can help with heat pump or air con servicing to ensure your unit is working efficiently. 

Taking steps to combat the cold can not only help reduce your power bills, it can also make your home much cosier.  Try some of these cheap and easy hacks to stay warm, dry and comfortable all season long.