Here are Mitre 10's "Top Ten Tips" to keeping warm this winter...

Tip 1: Insulate your Ceiling

Did you know that without adequate ceiling insulation, 42% of household heat is lost through the roof? *  Having insulation installed in the ceiling cavity of your house can significantly reduce this heat loss. 

Ceiling insulation will make your home warmer with the result that you won't need to use other heating options as much. Plus, when you do use heating, the warmth will be retained in your house more. Ultimately the insulation will pay for itself in savings on energy bills! 

We recommend Pink® Batts® Insulation. 
 
 

Tip 2: Insulate your Walls

24% of household heat is lost through the walls.* Help to prevent this heat loss by installing thermal insulation in your wall cavity.

Insulation can also help to reduce mould growing on your walls and ceilings so your home is ultimately healthier.

Tip 3: Install Underfloor Insulation

When a house has a raised timber floor, approximately 10% of all household heat is lost through the floor.* A cold floor can also feel damp underfoot. If you have children that play on the floor, or a baby that is crawling, then insulating under your floor can give you extra peace of mind that your home is warm and dry.

A good option is Pink® Batts® Snugfloor®. This product insulates the underside of an exposed joist timber floor. It is lightweight and flexible to fit snugly under your floor without any gaps, providing a warmer and draught free floor. Pink® Batts® Snugfloor® also has a unique strapping system that ensures the insulation will stay in place.

Tip 4: Electrical Heating

The size and type of electric heater that you choose will depend on the area of the room you need to heat and whether you want the heater to be portable or fixed.

Portable: Fan heaters, radiant heaters and oil column heaters are great for heating up small to middle sized rooms. Installation is easy - you just plug it in! Plus, these heaters are portable so you can move them to where you need them. A thermostat is a great feature to look out for to assist engergy efficiency. 

Fixed: Heat pumps are the solution for heating larger areas. (Most units have a cooling function too!) Usually they are able to remove moisture and have a remote control for easy operation. They require installation by a registered electrician.

Panel heaters are another fixed heating option. They are wall mounted and provide an affordable, economic solution for heating smaller rooms like bedrooms and hallways.

Click here to browse Mitre 10's Electrical Heating range.

Tip 5: Gas Heating

Gas heaters were often preferred by people more conscious of conserving electricity. (Although a variety of energy efficient electrical heaters are available now. )When selecting a portable gas heater, you should look for built-in safety features such as automatic shut off tilt switches and flame failure devices. Remember to keep a nearby window ajar for ventilation when using your gas heater. 

Gas fires provide fast heat and are neat and tidy. Look for a gas fire with a good energy (star) rating. A good rating means that you will require less energy to heat your room to the optimum temperature which means lower running costs.

See our Gas Heating products for more information or visit your local Mitre 10 store.

Tip 6: Wood Fires

Wood fires create a wonderful atmosphere in the room. Remember to place a fire screen in front of the fire. Also, have your chimney checked and cleaned once a year by a professional to ensure that it’ll draw properly. If you’re thinking of having a new fire installed, please consult with your local council for the current requirements and permits.  

Tip 7: Dehumidifiers

During winter we spend more time indoors with closed doors and windows. In addition to that, tumble dryers and heating are operated more frequently. All of these activities create moisture in our homes and this can lead to damp and mould. A dehumidifier will remove moisture from the air very quickly and with good efficiency, leaving the home dryer.  

Browse a range of Dehumidifiers online here.
 

Tip 8: Heat Transfer Kits

Heat transfer kits are an efficient way of sending excess heat from one room in the house to as many as 3 other rooms. They use a fan and insulated ducting to transfer heat quietly through your ceiling cavity. 

A heat transfer kit will move excess heat from the room where your main heat source is located (eg. fire in the lounge) to warm up colder parts of your house that may not have a heat source (eg. bedroom.)

A registered electrician should install the system.

Click here for more about Heat Transfer Kits.

Tip 9: Prevent Draughts

There are a range of draught excluders available for doors and windows. For example, you can fix a draughtseal or weatherseal to the bottom of a door so that when the door is closed, the gap underneath it is blocked and a draught is prevented. Draught seal tape is suitable for windows.  

See our Draft Control products for more information.

Tip 10: Smoke Alarms and Fire Extinguishers

In any home at any time, and more particularly when heaters are involved, there’s the potential for fire. Two very important things should be installed in your home as a safety measure - a smoke alarm and a fire extinguisher. Read the installation instructions carefully and check them regularly so make sure that you get the most protection from these products.

Find Smoke Alarms and Fire Safety products on our website.

* See www.pinkbatts.co.nz  for more insulation information and household heat loss statistics.