10 Ways to Keep Warm for Less
As the winter season is well and truly underway, it's natural for energy consumption to rise, but that doesn't mean you have to sacrifice your comfort or budget.
1. Insulate your home
Proper insulation, especially in the ceiling and walls, helps retain heat and reduces the need for excessive heating. Consider adding insulation if your home is not already adequately insulated.
2. Seal drafts
Identify and seal any drafts around windows, doors, and floors. Use weather-stripping or draft stoppers to prevent cold air from entering and warm air from escaping.
3. Use curtains and blinds effectively
Keep curtains and blinds closed at night to prevent heat loss and open them during the day to let in natural sunlight, which can help warm up your home.
4. Layer up and use blankets
Wear warm clothing layers and cozy up with blankets while indoors. This allows you to lower the thermostat and still maintain a comfortable temperature.
5. Embrace DIY insulation techniques
Use inexpensive materials like bubble wrap or reflective foil insulation to cover windows, especially single-pane windows, to minimize heat loss.
6. Heat-only occupied spaces
Close doors to unoccupied rooms and focus heating on the areas where you spend the most time. This helps concentrate the warmth where it's needed most.
7. Make use of natural heating sources
If you have a sunny room, open up curtains or blinds during the day to let sunlight naturally warm up the space.
8. Use rugs and carpets
Add rugs or carpets to your floors to provide an extra layer of insulation, keeping your feet warm and reducing heat loss through the floorboards.
9. Consider using draft stoppers at key areas
Use draft stoppers or door snakes at the base of doors and windows to prevent drafts and keep warm air from escaping.
10. Take advantage of warm bedding
Invest in warm bedding materials, such as flannel or fleece sheets, thermal blankets, and duvets with a high tog rating, to keep you cozy during chilly nights.
