Open-plan homes offer many advantages, including better traffic flow, higher home value, and easy entertaining. However, one major drawback is that they can be difficult to keep warm, especially in cold climates.
Fortunately, the right heating system can help keep your space warm and cosy, even when the ground temperature is below freezing.
In this article, we’ll explore a few ways you can keep your open spaces warm this winter, including with air-source heat pumps and soft furnishings.
Keep Furniture Close Together in the Coldest Months
By strategically arranging your furniture, you can trap small pockets of warm air. You can use larger pieces of furniture, like bookshelves and couches, as barriers against the cold air in your open space.
Take the time to plan exactly how you want to rearrange your space and ensure that the room remains functional. Having a cozy corner within your open-plan home can make all the difference during the colder months.
Use Rugs If You Don’t Have a Carpet
If you do not have carpets, your floor can feel chilly underfoot during cold weather. However, adding rugs helps absorb any heat and keeps your open space warmer for longer.
In addition to rugs, you can introduce other soft furnishings during the winter months, including:
- Thicker curtains
- Blankets and pillows on couches
- Wall hangings
- Table cloths
You’ll be amazed at the difference just a few soft furnishings can make to your space. If you want to create a warmer look and feel, opt for furnishings in colors like red, orange, yellow, and brown.
Invest in Powerful Heating
While plenty of conventional heating system options are available (including gas boilers and ground-source heat pumps), we recommend investing in an air-source heat pump.
These heat pumps use outside air to heat a specialized refrigerant liquid, which turns into gas. This gas is then used to provide heat to radiators, underfloor heating, and even your domestic hot water system.
But how effective are air-source heat pumps? In comparison to traditional heating systems, air-source heat pumps are known for their energy efficiency.
As air-source heat pumps make use of renewable energy and only a small amount of electricity, ensuring lower energy bills and minimized running costs. Some of their other benefits include:
- Cheaper to install than conventional heating systems
- Doesn’t require a lot of space
- Produce fewer carbon emissions
Final Thoughts
While adding rugs and moving your furniture closer together can help keep your space warmer, investing in an efficient heating system is the best way to enjoy comfortable temperatures throughout the cooler months.
Our advice is to invest in an air-source heat pump before the weather begins to get too cold, as air-source heat pump installers can get very busy during the winter months. Heat pump installation is fairly straightforward, and most property owners opt for an outdoor unit.
Lower your heating costs and energy consumption by opting for modern heat pumps that make use of renewable energy sources.
