Cold weather has been whipping around the country, with temperatures in many towns dropping below 0degC overnight.
Winter hasn't even arrived yet but consistent nippy nights and single-digit temperatures may have you scrambling to stay warm.
Here are some tips to help you survive the polar blast:
- Wear proper woollen clothing to keep warm.
- Instead of an electric blanket, use flannel sheets on your bed.
- Wear good socks and waterproof shoes to keep your feet dry and warm.
- Keep a warm hat nearby - body heat can make a quick escape from your head.
- Start your day with a hearty warm breakfast. Put the Weet-Bix and milk away and pull out some porridge or even bacon and eggs.
Energy Efficiency Conservation Authority (EECA) senior technical advisor Christian Hoerning says it is important for people to keep their houses and bodies warm during winter.
"It is tempting to underheat your house because it costs money to heat but you're really short changing yourself," he says.
Under-floor and roof insulation is important because it can halve the impact of heat loss in your house, Mr Hoerning says.
How to get the most heat for your money this winter:
- Invest in a fixed form of heating like a heat pump, pellet burner or wood burner, which are cheaper to run and put out more heat.
- Use plug-in heaters for small rooms only. They are cheap to buy and if used wisely can heat the room at minimal cost.
- Don't leave heat pumps on when you are away from home - set the timer for just before you get home, otherwise only use it when you need it.
- Curtains are key to keeping heat inside at night. Make sure they form a good seal over the windows to keep you toasty.
Mr Hoerning also has a warning for those who still use a portable gas heater.
"Get rid of it, replace it with another form of heating," he says.
"They don't have a chimney so they give off [combustion gases], and there are some real nasties in there including carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide and actually quite a bit of moisture; that's not good for your health.
"If the health effects aren't enough of a motivator then [they] are the most expensive form of heating you could choose in terms of running costs."
Although it may seem counter-intuitive, Mr Hoerning says people should open up the windows and doors to air the house out during the day, which is important to get rid of any moisture in the house.
Newshub.
