Halloween series: the problem with poltergeists is…cold spots.
October 31st is fast approaching and this Halloween we have some tips on how to protect your home from the effects of this haunted holiday! Over the next week, we will be bringing you the perils of All Hallows’ Eve and providing a contingency plan to counteract the ‘eco-tastrophes’ that can potentially lie in its wake.
With all manner of ghosts and ghouls roaming the streets, it’s enough to send most of us into hiding. But phantoms should be the least of your worries when faced with the scary effect they can have on the energy efficiency of your home (not to mention the more terrifying impact on your energy bills!).
The problem with poltergeists is they can undo all your efforts to save energy, but there are measures you can take to defend your dwelling.
If you are unlucky enough to have a ghost come to stay this Halloween, you might notice a significant drop in temperature as you walk about the house. These ‘cold spots’ (not are characteristic of a ghostly visit and can cost you a small fortune, especially if you head straight for the thermostat.)
To keep your heating bills down, there are plenty of alternatives to help you keep warm. Instead of reaching for the thermostat, why not:
- Bring out the woolly socks and winter jumpers. Instead of heating your home, heat yourself!
- Reposition the furniture. Radiators can be rather unsightly, so it is no surprise that many householders will block them from view with their sofa or bed. But when faced with a haunting, you might benefit from a change around. Unblock those radiators and allow the heat to fill the room, free from obstructions.
- Draught-proof your home. Purchase some draught excluders for your doors and fill any gaps in your windows. This will stop the pesky ‘cold spots’ from moving about the house. Pair this with your usual method of heating and the chill in the air will soon be eliminated.
Another problem with poltergeists is that the cold tends to follow them around, so you might be tempted to stretch out your hot morning shower to avoid the devastation of stepping into the cold air. But before you start wasting hot water, there are ways you can avoid that post-shower-icicle feeling. For instance, heat your towels. Cold air is less devastating if you have something warm to mitigate it. If you have a heated towel rail installed in your bathroom, this is perfect, but for the sake of energy efficiency, if your hot water tank is situated in an airing cupboard, you could try storing some of your towels in there to recycle some of the heat emitted by the tank.
Alternatively, a simple exorcism might suffice.
We’ll be back tomorrow with more tips on how to tackle problems with poltergeists. And remember: hands off that thermostat.