4 ‘Hackanuary’ Hacks for the New Year

Along with the brilliant Laura de Barra, aka Gaff Goddess we’ve shared energy saving tips and advice around everything from optimising your fridge to whether fabric softener is worth your money (it’s not, says Laura!).  

Now, we bring you our final instalment of this series; four hacks to help to improve your home during January, a month when the weather is cold, and the hustle and bustle of Christmas is over.  

Light the Way  

It might be worth looking at replacing your fluorescent lightbulbs, (these lightbulbs are currently being phased out by the European Commission) for more energy-efficient models is a quick and easy way to lower the amount of energy used in your house. LED light bulbs, CFL and halogen incandescent bulbs are slightly more expensive to buy, but they’re up to ten times more efficient, saving you money on your bill in the long run. They last longer too, meaning you’ll spend less money replacing bulbs throughout the year. 

Caulk It Up 

A cold house is often due to draughts moving through openings (doors, windows, cracks) in the home. While cranking up the heating will help, have a look at the openings around your home and identify where cold air might be sneaking in from room to room. Caulking is a cheap and easy way to fill in any cracks between doors and window frames. It's actually quite enjoyable to pipette a straight line of this adhesive into any cracks to seal them up, so bring out your inner Bake-Off contestant! Weatherstripping, meanwhile, is a roll of foam insulation that can be used around anything that moves, like your door. Cut off the right amount and slot it in to keep things sealed... and toasty. 

Space Heater 

Do you regularly work from home? If so, this one’s for you. Why not invest in an electric space heater instead of turning on the radiator whenever the room you're working in gets chilly? These handy appliances are great for instantly warming up a small area. This gadget may save electricity and perform marvels with a little blast. It's also one of the cheapest ways to heat a room, as it won’t involve heating the entire house each time. 

Be Grant Savvy better 

If, despite sealing the gaps, your home is still chilly, it’s time to look into the various grants available for your home. You can check out the list of grants available here from apartments to detached homes. These grants available can increase the energy efficiency of your home and help you save money on your electricity bill in the long run.

And that’s it for our #WinterReady series! We hope you found our #HelpfulHacks useful, and of course, don’t forget to give Laura a follow for year-round advice on everything home -related! 

We hope you’ve enjoyed the series as much as we have – remember to follow us on Instagram for more great content this year!

Sources: 

RoHS Directive - European Commission (europa.eu)