Since nights are getting longer and colder, staying warm at home is a priority. Although, some extra heaters might be too expensive, not to mention it would add up to the utility bills. If you want to stay warm while saving money, then this guide is for you.
Move furniture away from vents, radiators, and furnaces
While you keep your couch or ottoman near the fireplace feels good to you as you seat there warmly, it’s unfair for the rest of the room. Moving furniture away from heat providers will help in better circulation of heat around the room, benefitting everything and everyone in the household.
Seal walls, windows, and doors
Check your house for air and sound leaks and the bathroom for water leaks to avoid water damage, excess moisture, and molds. Apply caulk in areas where you need them: between your bathtub or shower, sink, and toilet. You can also apply some on your doors and windows, preventing drafts around your house. This way, it can keep your utility bills to normal.
Choose the right type of curtain.
Keep the harsh winter chills out of your home by putting up curtains. You can layer curtains if you’re feeling more creative, but you can keep it simple if you prefer. Either way, choosing the right fabric will help block cold air from outside, especially when you close them at night.
Not all kinds of curtain fabrics prevent you from cold air coming in. Lightweight materials, like linen, lace, and sheer cotton, may not be the best during winter. It’s way better to choose thick and heavyweight, tightly woven curtains, such as velvet, tapestry, tweed, denim, and suede. They provide a denser barrier against the harsh winter breeze.
Let the sun in during the daytime.
The sun is an excellent source of light and heat. Keeping your blinds and curtains open during the day will help you save energy and keep your house and yourselves warm until the frosty night comes.
Close the doors of rooms you’re not using.
Doing this will help do the heaters do their job, lessening the amount of space in your house from them to provide heat. It allows warmer air to stay in the rooms you’re often using.
If you have a room in your house where people rarely enter, you might also be wasting valuable energy when you keep the doors open. In these rooms you rarely use, close all vents and shut the doors.
Use timers on your thermostat.
If you haven’t already, you can install a programmable thermostat, which enables you to set temperatures at different times of the day. You don’t want to keep your home at the same temperature all day. Having a programmable thermostat at home is a real money saver. It can save 10 to 20 percent of your utility bills.
Maintain your heat providers.
If you have a furnace or a wood stove, it’s important to maintain them all year long to prevent them from releasing poisonous gas and harm your family. Replace their filters and clean them regularly.
Fireplace maintenance can be a harmful task if you haven’t maintained it for a while, so better to call for help from a professional when you’re in deep doubt.
Get proper insulation.
There are many ways to stop heat from coming in during winter while conserving energy. Home insulation is a money- and energy-saving way of improving your personal home comfort and correcting heat circulation. It isn’t only to keep you warm during the winter, but it can also keep you cool in summer.
By insulating the windows, floors, ceilings, and walls, you burn less fuel, which is so much better for the environment. Diminishing the demand for energy is a way to fight climate change and protect Mother Earth.
Keep your water heater at the right temperature.
Hot water is most valuable in winter. If you prefer to save energy, lower its temperature to 120 degrees. Take shorter baths and showers to avoid them from being used up quickly. Equip your showers with low-flow showerheads, which can make a big difference in water consumption, whether hot or cold. With this, you can reduce the use of water, saving you from increased water bills.
Staying mindful of keeping the house warm can make you and your family feel more comfortable and safe in the wintertime with all those harsh cold air that can make them sick and have the winter blues. These simple ways are the trick to do it.
