Winters in the UK have a reputation for being cold and damp, with short days. Due to the prevailing weather conditions, it is common for many people to spend more time indoors at this time of year. Being cooped up indoors for long stretches of time has a tendency to encourage people to do some upgrading in the home and new interior doors are a great way to spruce up the look of your home.
Looking at the endless variety of interior doors to add to your home gives you, as a homeowner, a great opportunity to consider the other doors in your house, like your exterior ones. The long, cold winters have another effect that is less exciting than the desire to go shopping for an interior door. High energy bills that grow in relation to the dropping temperature!
Checking Your Home to Save Money on Your Energy Bill
The age and state of much of the housing in the UK mean that many UK residents have poorly insulated or “leaky” doors and windows and “average” home energy efficiency. This means air can travel through the gaps in the external doors and windows, letting the heat escape and raising your heating costs as well as growing your carbon footprint.
None of these outcomes is desirable. How can you save money on your energy bill while you are shopping for a new interior door? Ask yourself these questions to get a good idea of the state of your home’s energy-saving (or losing) doors and windows.
Do You Have Double Glazed or Triple Glazed Windows or Doors?
As is expected, glass doesn’t insulate as well as other building materials. However, if you have double or triple-glazed windows and doors (that is a window or door with two or three panes of glass), you can go a long way to ensuring you are trapping the heat where you want it…in your home.
Have You Done Any Draught Proofing?
According to Maria from Doors Galore said “Draughts typically aren’t a concern for interior doors but for external doors, draught-proofing is necessary to ensure energy saving and to prevent heat from escaping. This can be done easily by adding a door seal to any exterior door that has a problem with heat loss.”
Are Your Door Frames Insulated to Reduce Heat Loss?
Door frames are just as important as the door itself to improve energy efficiency. Interior door frames are more concerned with aesthetics whereas external door frames need to be insulated and properly fitted to work to their maximum potential. Check your door frames for loose or ill-fitting parts and replace them if necessary.
Can Doors Make Your Home More Energy Efficient?
Absolutely! By changing a few simple things, or perhaps an entire door or doors, you can the state of your energy efficiency drastically. The interior doors you are shopping for will be less important to this effort but can still play a part by effectively separating the first interior room from the rest of the home, saving on energy costs.
How to Choose an Energy-Efficient Exterior Door
Shopping for a new interior door doesn’t necessarily require the advice of a professional, although door specialists are great for helping to choose the right type of door for your home. When it comes to changing an exterior door for energy efficiency purposes, you may need professional help. Asking a door and window specialist about what doors are better and why is a good idea for those looking to increase their home’s energy efficiency and reduce their carbon footprint.