Non-electronic ways to heat the home in winter

Winter is just around the corner and for many that means surging gas and electricity bills.

But for those who plan ahead there are many environmentally-friendly products designed to maintain a comfortable temperature without electronic heating.

Invest in insulation 

The use of insulators helps lessen Australia’s carbon footprint in residential buildings, which Choice magazine reports accounts for 10 per cent of Australia’s total carbon emissions, and reduce the $47 billion Australian households spend annually on energy, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

A well-insulated roof can save the average Australian family 45 per cent on heating and cooling, with a further 20 per cent saved via wall insulation according to Choice magazine. 

New technology has given rise to myriad products designed to better insulate homes, such as Ortech Durra Panel, “a walling system made out of waste straw, bonded with pressure and heat with no toxins, great acoustic and thermal performance,” says Dr Dominique Hes, director of Thrive Research Hub at the Melbourne School of Design.

In Western Australia, family home The Bling Box is setting a new precedent for sustainable Australian residential architecture. The home incorporates Bondor’s Equitilt wall panelling and SolarSpan roof sheeting for high thermal performance that exceeds the Building Code of Australia’s current six-star thermal efficiency requirement. 

Another effective insulator is Thermablok, a NASA-developed material that utilises aerogel insulation technology. 

Not only is aerogel a great insulator, the 99.8 per cent air content makes it one of lightest materials available, allowing it to be easily shipped overseas. 

The Bling Box in Ardross, WA is insulated with Equitilt wall panelling and SolarSpan roof sheeting. Photo: Bondor

Fill in the gaps

Older properties in particular can benefit from products designed to fill in cracks and gaps that appear in houses over time. 

Gaps in floorboards can be sealed with a silicone based filler or UK product StopGap – thin V-shaped plastic that springs apart in gaps to stop draughts.

Products such the Chimney Balloon or Chimney Sheep are other effective, inexpensive methods to stop draughts entering the home through an open fireplace. Both devices work by being placed out of sight in the chimney to shut out any incoming cold air or escaping heat.

Mini-draughts from letterboxes, keyholes, pet flaps or under doors can be filled in with wool insulation or specifically designed specific covers.

Draughts can also enter the home via windows, even when these are closed. 

Correctly hanging thermal or fleece-lined curtains can effectively curb this issue for better temperature control. 

The trick is to hang curtains wider than the window frame, as close as possible to the window, and draped onto the floor. 

Double-glazing

Double-glazed windows dramatically improve a home’s ability to maintain heat, although these can be expensive to install. 

For renters or those financially restricted, specialised double glazing film can be applied to existing windows at a fraction of the traditional method’s costs.

Some types of film can be applied at home with just double-sided tape and a hairdryer, or at a higher cost, a contractor can install magnetic double glazing able to be removed for opening windows.

Mind the gaps. Photo: Stocksy