Home Improvements - Keep Your Home Cosy This Autumn

As the evenings get shorter and the temperature drops, I start to think about making my home that bit cosier.

With the wettest August in years, I've been quite tempted to switch the heating on, before reaching for my cardigan, this is the most obvious place to start as the nights draw in, but there are other ways to feel cosy.

Most people have double glazed windows, vital for keeping in warmth, if you don't then you're probably spending far too much money on heating your home, especially if you also don't have loft insulation. (We'll save that for winter.) Thankfully there are now a plethora of double glazing companies, such as Everest, Zenith Windows and Britelite, in Beckenham, as well as others who are currently offering discounts and part exchange deals, so you won't have to spend too much. Updating your old windows to more energy efficient UPVC will be a valuable investment, in the long term. If you rent your property and you still don't have double glazed windows, talk to your landlord, he is responsible for updating them, there are grants and discounts available.

If you do have old windows, then you will probably also have damp and problems with condensation, you will require a professional plasterer, to come and seal the walls and  re-plaster. Once dried the walls should be given two coats of anti-damp paint, which is available at Homebase in Penge and Bromley. If the walls are in your kitchen or bathroom, I recommend tiling them, if they are in your living room or bedroom then thick, embossed or textured wallpaper is great for sealing in warmth and keeping damp at bay.

It may also be worth investing in a dehumidifier for the winter months if the condensation persists, or you can't afford to replace your windows, as well as a pair of heavy lined drapes to keep out the draughts. Good old fashioned sealant tape is excellent around windows and doors, as are the now very fashionable draught excluding stuffed cushions, which can be expensive but are very easy to make, so why not design your own.

As winter gets closer, it is also worth considering changing your energy supplier, most have already announced price hikes starting in September and you could find yourself paying much more to heat your home, especially if you are on a prepay meter. Contact your supplier to find out if you're eligible to change to a quarterly bill.

Photo: geograph