Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash
There’s nothing more comforting than being cozied up on a dark winter’s day, safe and warm inside your home. However, before you crank up the thermostat, take a moment to consider your energy bills. Relying solely on your HVAC system during the colder months can quickly become unaffordable, especially if you run it continuously. Fortunately, there are a few easy things you can do to keep your home toasty while saving energy at the same time. Here are seven of the best tricks to help you enjoy a winter that’s both warm and wallet-friendly.
Check Your Heading System
Ideally, you should start preparing for winter well ahead of the season. The reason for this is that you want to know your system works before you actually need to use it. Turn it on and pay attention to how it sounds. You’re looking for steady airflow, quiet operation, and even warmth between rooms.
If you hear strange noises or some spaces aren’t heating up, the system needs to be looked at. Services like this New Jersey heating repair get extremely busy at this time of year, so it’s wise to test your heating system early to give you plenty of time to resolve any issues.
Seal Drafts
Drafts let warm air escape and cool air flood in, which contributes to wasted energy. The areas around windows are also a culprit. You may not even be able to see the small gaps, but you should be able to feel them with your hand. To seal them, use weather stripping or a simple draft stopper. These things don’t cost much, but you’ll feel the difference right away. Closing blinds or curtains will also help trap warm air inside, especially if they’re long and made from heavy material.
Use Soft Textures
Sometimes, creating warmth has nothing to do with the temperature dial. Soft textures and the right lighting naturally make a room feel more cozy. Add a chunky-knit throw or blanket to your couch, swap thin mats for rugs with a denser pile, and furnish chairs with a few extra pillows. Use ambient lighting, and choose lamps with a yellow or orange glow, and never bright white. These simple touches help you build a warm and welcoming atmosphere where your body feels more at ease, even when the air temperature is cool.
Let Sunlight In
Sunlight is free heat, so let it do some of the work. Open your curtains, blinds, or shutters during the brightest part of the day, especially in areas that get direct sunlight. The sun’s rays will naturally warm your home for no cost at all, and it’s environmentally friendly. South-facing windows are best, since they get the most sunlight throughout the day. Just remember to draw your curtains once the sun sets to hold in the warmth.
Rearrange Furniture
Rearranging your furniture can be incredibly effective in warming your home. Sometimes, certain areas feel cold simply because warm air can’t travel through the space efficiently. Large furniture like dressers, wardrobes, or couches can block vents, radiators, or heating units without you noticing.
If that’s the case, shift them slightly so they no longer obstruct the warm air flow. This works the other way around, too. For example, if there’s a particular corner of a room that feels cooler or an unused drafty doorway, consider covering it with furniture. This can block cool air from entering and warm air from escaping while maximizing your usable living space.
Focus on Key Areas and Timings
You may not need every room at the same temperature all of the time, especially if your property is on the larger side. Some rooms, such as a home office or bedroom, don’t need to be heated when they’re not being used. If you have a smart, zoned heating system, you can set the temperatures accordingly. Otherwise, you can warm rooms individually and keep doors shut to maintain a cozy level.
For example, if you have a fireplace, use it to heat the living room while your family relaxes there in the evenings. Warm the bedrooms only when needed—perhaps an hour or so before you wake up. And only heat the home office when you’re physically in there working.
Extra Tips to Keep Warm
Aside from wearing extra layers, there are several other simple habits to help you feel warm without touching the temperature controls. For starters, drink hot drinks like tea or coffee to heat yourself from the inside out. Hot chocolate, spiced lattes, and mulled wine are also great warming treats around the holidays.
Electric blankets are also relatively inexpensive nowadays and are a wonderful way to increase your body temperature. At a basic level, fluffy socks, decent slippers, and thermals will also help you to feel more comfortable, as will a high tog duvet and fleece pajamas.
If you’ve been eyeing up any recipes lately, now is the time to get in the kitchen. Cooking or baking is another creative way to add gentle warmth (and delicious smells) to your home. Even if you don’t have a fancy range, the heat from a normal oven can spread through your kitchen and make it feel more inviting.
Endnote
If you’re not careful, wintertime heating costs can be astronomical. However, you don’t need to drain your resources to keep your home warm this season. With small adjustments and smart habits, you can stay cozy all winter long, and be pleasantly surprised when your energy bills arrive.
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