If you’re like most people, winter is all about keeping yourself warm. Staying warm ensures that your experience throughout the cold season is less disconcerting. Surviving in low temperatures can be daunting if you aren’t prepared. Fortunately, there are several solutions available that enable homeowners to keep their rooms warm during winter.
The average cost of heating an average American home today is estimated at $2,200. This isn’t cheap. For most people, financial considerations and energy usage play a huge role in determining how they’ll keep their homes warm during winter. Using a strategy that doesn’t hurt your bank account will ensure that you’re sorted without blowing up your bills.
Beyond saving money, you want a solution that works best for you and your home. Here are 7 easy tips that will help you keep your home warm this winter.
- Use Curtains
There are two ways you can keep your home warm using your curtains. The first one is opening them during the day when there’s sunlight to allow the heat to penetrate. You’ll be making good use of the free heat. The second way is shutting them when it gets dark. A lot of warmth finds its way out through your windows. Your curtains act as insulation, keeping your room warm by preventing heat loss. Double-check to ensure that there are no gaps or leaks in between. This ensures that the warm stays in while the cold stays out.
- Space Heaters
Space heaters provide a cheaper solution to the ordinary home heating system. If you spend most of your time in one or two rooms, buy a space heater and have it with you as you alternate between the two rooms. Remember to turn it off when you’re not in the room. Also, avoid using it while asleep. Space heaters help to save on energy and finances as they are a much cheaper option. Make sure to check out the Introduction to Indoor Air Quality by EPA first. It helps to ensure that you’re not exposed to indoor air pollution.
- Wrap yourself Warm
Dressing up appropriately is a smart way of ensuring that you stay warm during the cold season. It also helps to rely less on the furnace and other external heating sources. Put on layers of clothing where your body loses heat the most. This could be on your head or feet. Dress warmer at night and in the morning when temperatures are at their lowest. You’re likely to feel much less cold.
- Maintain an ideal temperature
We are used to turning the thermostat up and down with changing conditions. But, what if you could maintain an ideal temperature in your home? According to the World Health Organization, the recommended minimum temperature is 66 F. Considering the changing environment, the best range is between 62 F and 66 F. Set a timer that turns your thermostat on and off when you do and don’t need heating. At the same time, familiarize yourself with heating and cooling information to help you to save energy and keep your room at a constant temperature.
- Move your furniture
If you have your seat right next to the radiator, it may be absorbing some of the heat that could be warming your room instead. By moving it further away, you’ll make it easier for air to circulate freely around the room. Rearrange your furniture to allow free flow of air. Having seats directly in front of your heat source blocks heat and can even cause the appliance to overheat. This also applies to wet clothes and curtains. Keep them away from your heat source to allow enough heat to get to other areas of the room.
- Insulate to minimize heat loss
A home that isn’t insulated experiences heat loss through the ceiling, roof, floor, and walls. Insulating these areas can save up to 80% of the heat loss. It also helps with minimizing the likelihood of condensation and mould. Consider using bales of hay to block heat from escaping through the edge of your basement. In extremely low temperatures, consider using blankets to cover your walls. Insulating exposed ductwork and pipes also goes a long way in ensuring that heat isn’t lost.
- Split wood into smaller pieces
To make your furnace burn better and produce more heat, cut your wood into smaller pieces of between 4 and 6 inches. This ensures that they burn better due to the surface area exposed to flames. If you’re considering making a larger investment, buy a fireplace thermostat. It helps to control room temperature effectively.
Staying warm during the cold season will ensure that you stay well. A drop in temperature reduces the body’s ability to protect itself from infections and viruses. Consider adopting the methods mentioned above to keep your home warm this coming winter.
