Winter-Proofing your Home.  There has been a big change in Spain recently and electric is now charged at different rates depending on when it is being used.  Keep you electricity costs down with thick curtains and rugs, to help keep in the heat!

Winter-Proofing your Home

As a result of the changes to electricity prices, many of us have started to adopt new regimes using our electricity such as putting the water heater or pool pumps on a timer to come on during the low tariff from midnight until 8am, using the dishwasher after 10pm and even saving the job of laundry until Saturday and Sunday when the electric is on the low tariff.  All of these little adjustments help us reduce energy and money wastage.

Soft furnishings are a great way to make your home look fabulous but also to help save some cash!  Statistics say that UP TO 40% of the heat in your home can be lost through windows.

In a sunny climate like here in southern Spain, simply opening your curtains to let in the natural light and warmth of the Winter sun will really go a long way in heating up your home so that as the evening draws in and the sun sets, the house is already feeling a pleasant temperature. Once the sun has set is the time to pull the curtains closed. Thick lined curtains will stop the warmth leaving your rooms so easily in turn meaning that you won’t need to put the fire on as soon as it drops dark and when you do flick on the heating the temperature will be easier to maintain.

Curtains for Winter-Proofing Warmth

Curtains are not just for windows ! A draughty doorframe or arch way is also easily blocked using a door curtain , any thick curtain will work as long as it covers the door or arch and it should fit fairly close to the wall ( maybe with a track and pencil pleat heading ) as well as being long enough to reach the floor – draught excluders are another simple but effective way to prevent cold air entering , these come as strips that can be purchased from the hardware store or from ourselves at Yorkshire Linen in the form like a sausage dog or a very long cat !

Put rugs down during the winter . Rugs trap cold air underneath stopping it seeping up into your room and cooling the air . Not only can a rug be a focal point of a room but they make your feet feel warm and toasty rather than walking on a cold marble or concrete floor.

Layer Up!

Layer up. If your sat in shorts and a tee shirt while you watching dancing on ice on a Mid-December evening , the chances are that you will be cold ! Instead of putting on the fire get your thermal socks and onesie on . Over the last few years fleecy , Sherpa throws have become extremely popular as they are super soft and incredibly warm and snuggly – wrap yourself up on the sofa with a tin of chocolates and a good box set for a perfect wintery evening .

Bedtime can be a cold affair here in the winter . Not only can your bed feel freezing but it can actually be damp as the houses here in Spain often don’t have central heating and not so well insulated . An electric blanket is ideal bed companion to combat both dampness and the chill . Pop your electric blanket on for 30 minutes before you go to bed and switch it off as you jump in.

The energy consumption is tiny but the benefits are enormous as there nothing nicer than getting into a warm and dry bed and sleeping like a baby .Hot water bottles are another cheap and effective way to maintain your body temperature under the covers or on the sofa

Winter Bedding

Fleecy bedding and flannelette or jersey sheets feel much less cold to the touch and help your body temperature stay optimal, use in conjunction with a decent duvet – we especially like a medium weight during the winter such as a 9 or a 10.5 tog ( 300 gsm ) as a heavier weight can often be that too warm and a lighter weight not enough to stop you from waking up cold.

As a rule of thumb we always advice to our customers that you cant take the filling out of a duvet but you can always add another layer on top so light or medium weight duvet with a blanket or throw on the end of the bed to use when needed really works well during the very variable, Spanish Winter nights!

Beds, Mattresses, Headboards and Bedroom Furniture

Huge ranges of beds, mattresses, furniture, decoration and inspirational ideas for your home!

We have been trading at Yorkshire Linen Beds and More for over 10 years and our staff although highly trained have also accumulated a wealth of valuable knowledge and can advise you in every step of buying a new bed or mattress, choosing the right length of curtains for your windows or completely furnishing a home or holiday apartment. (We can offer a full, bespoke package to suit all budgets including delivery and installation.)

Visit our bed, mattress & furniture website!