Will carpet make my house warmer?

17 Aug 2021

Are you watching your power bill rise in the winter months as you struggle to keep your house warm? You’re certainly not the only one! Many homes in New Zealand are of the age where warm air starts to escape through the floor, whether this is through gaps in floorboards or through threadbare carpet. Carpet is one of the best ways to insulate your home, and can give your rooms a fresh, cozy look too!

Why carpet is a good insulator

Uncovered floors can account for 10-20% of heat loss in a home, and they also feel significantly colder underfoot. High-quality, thick carpeting is made up of millions of tightly woven fibres that not only have a very low conduction rate, but also trap air. So, if you have the heater on, the hot air will stay in the room, and the cold air from below won’t get in. Research by Wools of New Zealand found that carpet provides around 10 times more insulation than hard floor coverings.

Excellent insulation means less heating (or cooling) is needed to maintain a comfortable temperature in the room. So, installing carpet reduces your energy bills and makes your home a generally more comfortable place to live.

The best carpet materials for home insulation

Wool carpets are a natural insulator that keeps your home warm in winter and cool in summer. They also feel warm and soft underfoot, adding to your sense of comfort when it’s chilly outside. Thick carpets with high stitch counts make for the best insulators.

Installing carpet over a thermal underlay will also drastically increase insulation and prolong the life of your carpet.

Carpet is a great way to add comfort and character to your house

Adding carpet to your floors will help reduce your electricity spend and give your rooms a sense of comfort and coziness that hard flooring simply can’t achieve. It can also add character to a room! We have been enhancing Kiwi homes for decades, and have curated a range of carpets that are both beautiful and practical.

If you would like to discuss the best carpet or floor covering for keeping your house warm, you can arrange a free at-home consultation with one of the Harrisons Carpets experts. Get in touch with us to get started!