There is nothing better than feeling warm and cozy in your home while it is snowing or raining outside. But for your home to provide you with the ultimate warmth during winter means that you will be using a lot of electricity through heating. However, there are certain things you can do which will make sure that you are cost-effective while keeping warm in winter.
Keeping warm during the winter months doesn’t have to break the bank. One cost-effective solution is investing in a heat pump. A heat pump works by extracting heat from the air or ground and transferring it indoors to warm up your home. This versatile system can both cool your home in the summer and provide efficient heating during colder months.
Drafty spots
The gaps between the door and the floor or the small open areas around the windows are all areas that can make your place feel chillier during the winter. Cold air enters through the tiniest openings, and it will become a more prominent struggle to heat up the entire room. These air leaks can be taken care of by fitting insulating pelmets at the top of the windows. Strips of foam can be lined around the frames of doors and windows. Another trick you can use to take care of the intrusive cold air is to use the old-fashioned method, which is to use threshold rolls or rolled-up old towels and place them at the bottom of the door
Fireplace without a flame
If you have a fireplace that is not being used, then keep in mind that a significant amount of heat can escape through the chimney. Therefore, it is important to close up a fireplace that is not being used. You can cover the chimney itself with a plate or protector, and for the fireplace, you can use a piece of board, a blanket, or a large painting to place in front of the fire area.
Drapes fit for the occasion
As winter comes along, consider replacing those light curtains with thicker heavier ones. You will be surprised what a difference in temperature it can make. Make sure that when the sun is shining during the day that you keep the curtains open to warm your place, and as soon as the sun sets, close the drapes to hold that lovely heat inside.
Carpets are welcome
Tiles can make your place seem cold, and older homes with wood floors might have gaps for draughts to seek through. Rugs create a warm, cozy atmosphere, and as a bonus, they can add some character to the decor.
Invest for long-term savings
If your windows are unglazed or you do not have insulation in the ceiling, walls, roof, etc., it is a good idea to invest in these installments first. A window that is double-glazed helps to keep in the heat during the winter, and your electricity bill will be sure to decrease. Insulation keeps your home cozy and warm during the winter, and in the summer, the cold air from your air conditioner will not escape. These installments are usually done by a professional and cost a bit more, but in the long run, it pays off.
Know how to heat
Try to prevent the heat from the radiators and heaters to rise to the ceiling. By placing radiators and heaters under shelves, you will concentrate the temperature in the areas where it is most needed. Avoid putting stuff in front of the heater that will absorb the warmth, a couch, for example, can absorb a lot of the heat. Close unused rooms while you are heating another, or close the door of the room that is being heated. Heat from the radiators can heat up a place even an hour after it gets turned off, keep this in mind before you leave the room or go to bed. The thermostat on the heating does not need to be of the highest if you can find a lower temperature to suit your comfort if can help you save money.
Do the simple things
Keep yourself warm with warm beverages, add more layers of clothes, or tuck yourself under the blankets when you are just relaxing on the couch. A warm water bottle can heat up your bed before you get in. Cooking and baking help to heat up the home as well, so forget about takeaways and indulge in some homemade recipes. Some exercise can also help the body temperature to rise and keep the calories off, of course. Or, if you are not the exercising type, you can always count on some red wine to heat yourself up from the inside.
By following some of these steps, you can decrease your heating bills. Make sure you upgrade old appliances like the water heater, for example, as outdated appliances are most likely pulling more energy than needed. Luckily today, modern technology is made with energy efficiency in mind, which can help you save money over time.
