Preparing for winter: tips on how to insulate your apartment without overspending.

The majority of heat loss occurs through windows and doors

In Kyiv, autumn chills have already settled in, yet the city authorities are still not in a hurry to start the heating season in residential buildings. Winter is approaching, along with the prospect of new blackouts, during which a significant number of residents in multi-apartment buildings may find themselves without heating altogether.

How to keep your apartment warm in such a situation without incurring substantial expenses – this is what “Kashtan NEWS” explains.

Windows

Windows can account for up to 25 percent of heat loss in an apartment, so if you plan to spend the winter comfortably, pay attention to them first. Of course, the best way to insulate windows is with high-quality double-glazed units, but not everyone has the option to install them. Moreover, even a quality double-glazed unit installed incorrectly will not protect the apartment from drafts or heat loss.

Therefore, first of all, inspect your windows and determine what can be done:

1. Check if the rubber seals are worn out. If they are, replace them.
2. If there are gaps between the window frame and the wall, fill them with polyurethane sealant.
3. Inspect the windowsill. If there are gaps or cracks there, treat them with sealant.
4. If there are still drafts coming from the window, remember the old-fashioned method: insulate them with foam and tape. Nowadays, you can find many modern variations of this traditional life hack in hardware stores and discount shops, making the “sealing” of windows quick and easy.
5. Applying heat-reflective film to the glass is a very good idea that can significantly reduce heat loss. However, there is one caveat: quality film is quite expensive, while cheap film will not provide any noticeable effect. Additionally, the film needs to be applied very carefully following the instructions; incorrectly applied film will be a waste of money.
6. Pay attention to curtains: surprisingly, a window covered with heavy fabric curtains can save you a lot of heat. However, during the day, especially on sunny days, the curtains should be drawn open to let the sun warm the room.

Doors

If you regularly sleep in the hallway under the “two walls” rule, you probably already know whether you feel drafts under your doors or not. Doors, or rather, the gaps between the doors and the wall, cool the apartment almost as much as windows do. Check your doors: fill large gaps with foam, install surface insulators on the doors, and at the bottom of the door (where drafts usually come from the most) you can install special brushes to eliminate drafts.

The entrance door is also a black hole where heat escapes. Being next to a cold hallway does not add temperature comfort to your apartment, so make sure that the entrance doors and windows are closed.

Floor

A radical solution to the problem is an insulated floor, but not everyone has the spare money or desire to undertake renovations. So, let's get out the carpets: in the summer, during the heat, we recommended hiding them to prevent excess heat from accumulating in the room, and now it's time to bring them back.

Walls

Here, there is actually only one truly effective method – to install thermal insulation, insulating the walls with polyurethane foam, polystyrene, or mineral wool. Among more budget-friendly methods, there is only one that works: retrieve your grandmother's carpet from the attic and hang it on the coldest wall (usually an exterior wall or one that borders the hallway). This may offend your aesthetic sensibilities, but it will serve as a decent barrier between the warmth of your apartment and the external cold.

Radiator

It is essential to do something with the central heating radiator. First of all, remove everything that separates your radiator from the rest of the room – furniture, belongings, etc. Long curtains should also be tied up: if they cover the radiator, it will warm the window more than you.

It is also not worth heating the wall by the window: install a heat-reflective screen between the radiator and the wall. It usually costs little – from 100 to 200 hryvnias, but if you want to save, you can make one yourself: find a plywood sheet of the right size and wrap it in foil or paint it with silver paint. This simple life hack will direct the heat from the radiator into the room instead of onto the wall.

Heaters and heating devices

Of course, a heater is very helpful for surviving the winter, but since the situation with electricity is uncertain, you should not rely on it entirely. At the same time, trying to warm up by turning on the gas stove requires great caution: you must constantly monitor that the flame does not go out and never leave the stove unattended. Additionally, combustion products can accumulate in the air quite rapidly, adversely affecting human well-being. To eliminate them, the exhaust fan should be turned on, but keep in mind that ventilation will lower the room temperature.

However, the stove can be used for its intended purpose. Heat food and drinks – hot soup and tea will provide you with a feeling of warmth inside for several hours. Residents of apartments with electric stoves can use a portable gas stove or a spirit stove during a blackout.

You can also heat bricks on the stove: turn on the lowest flame, place a fireproof brick on the burner, and after two or three minutes, start increasing the heat. Such a brick will serve as a heat accumulator, gradually releasing heat into the room.

Old-fashioned hot water bottles are also a good option. If you do not have a rubber hot water bottle, fill a plastic bottle with hot water and wrap it in a towel.

Owners of charging stations have a bit more room for maneuver: you can connect an electric blanket, electric duvet, or electric sheet to the station, or even an electric heater. However, you will likely need to look for a miniature version of the heater, as the output power of average-priced stations usually does not exceed 500-700 W, while most popular electric heaters require at least 1 kW.

As for fuel-powered generators, you will have to forget about using them indoors: they can only be installed outdoors. In this regard, only residents of the first floors are lucky, as they can place the generator near the house (according to DSNS recommendations – at least 6 meters away from the building or 1 meter away if there is a blind wall nearby). Installing generators in rooms, hallways, or on balconies is prohibited.

Kyostantyn MYKHAILENKO