9 Easy Ways To Keep The House Warmer This Winter
July 17, 2019
source: TreeHugger / Flickr
I definitely don’t love winter. Between the freezing temperatures, shovelling snow, and expensive heating bills, I could probably live somewhere that’s warm all year long. If you also get stressed when thinking about your rising heating bills, check out these eight simple ways to keep your home warmer this winter without cranking the thermostat.
1. Free Up Vents
Most of us have at least one piece of furniture that’s blocking an air vent. If you want every room in your home to be the same temperature, ensure that you move furniture around to let the vents actually circulate air into the room.
2. Tackle Drafts
Many homes let in cold drafts around doors and windows. To keep warm air in and cold air out, try to find the source of these drafts and stuff any cracks and crevices.
3. Turn On A Ceiling Fan
As we all know, warm air rises. If you turn your ceiling fan on the lowest setting, it will guide the warm air back into the room, instead of it all escaping through the roof.
4. Humidifier
Not only do humidifiers release moisture into the dry, winter air, but they also help you to feel warmer. Even an inexpensive, portable humidifier can make a difference.
5. Open The Blinds
Never underestimate the power of sunlight to heat up your home! Take advantage of a sunny day and open all curtains and blinds to let the sunlight really warm up a room.
6. Update Insulation
If you live in an old home, chances are your insulation should be updated. If your home isn’t properly insulated, warm air will escape through the walls and roof, and cold air will easily make its way inside.
7. Cook!
Have you ever noticed how warm your house gets when you’re making something in the oven? If you live in a small home or one with an open concept, cooking with the oven is a quick way to warm things up.
8. Heated Blanket
If all else fails and you’re still chilly, buy yourself a hot water bottle or heated blanket! At least you’ll be toasty when you sleep and during movie marathons. Just be sure to always unplug a heated blanket when it’s not in use.
9. Bubble Wrap your Windows
Placing a sheet of bubble wrap on the windows is one of the easiest ways to reduce heating loss. It serves as multiple insulating pockets filled with air. Those who use this method notice a big difference and are able to eliminate heating costs.