If you live in a part of the world where November means cold days and even colder nights, you’re always looking for ways of keeping warm. And for many, that means reaching for the thermostat to turn it up to max.
But for others, keeping warm in winter can mean making a difficult choice. Do you stay toasty thanks to your central heating and tackle a higher heating bill? Or do you sacrifice your warmth to stay on budget?
Thankfully, there are plenty of tried and tested hacks that will keep you warm this winter (without flashing the cash). So you can stay cozy and save money. What’s not to love?
Image by Mikhail Nilov via Pexels
- Get Smart
Modern technology has brought us a feast of unique gadgets that make our lives easier. And while being able to scroll through Instagram is excellent, saving money on your heating bill is even better. And while it’s not as flashy as the latest tablet, gadgets to make your heating systems smarter will help you now and well into the future.
Timers on your central heating make sure it comes on when needed and switches it off for you. It’s easy to forget to turn the heating off, and leaving it going in the background will cost you money. And you likely won’t even feel the benefit because your home is already at ambient temperature. Make good use of your thermostat, too, so the heating clicks on when it drops cold. And then off again when it gets to your preset temp.
- Close The Curtains
Closing the curtains to keep your home warmer makes sense. Upgrade these defenses by opting for thicker curtains too. They don’t need to be thermal to work well. They only need to be dense enough to keep a draft out.
To maximize the power of your curtains, keep them open when the winter sun is out. And close them again once it starts to turn cold. This way, you get free heating from the sun, and your new thicker curtains will keep that warmth in when it turns colder.
- Turn It Down
It sounds counterintuitive, but turning down your thermostat will save you money while keeping your home at a comfortable temperature. Reducing your thermostat by just 1 degree could save you up to 10% on your heating bill. It doesn’t need to be at a high temperature to be comfortable. So revise your thermostat to save some cash.
Keeping your home at an ambient temperature isn’t just great for your paycheque. Rooms that hold moisture can become a nightmare during colder months. Those rooms can quickly become breeding grounds for mold. And if mold is a problem, you’ll want to call in the mold pros. Because a cold house with mold will wear thin very quickly.
- Shore Up Defences
Homes lose so much heat from windows and doors that have cracks for air to creep in. If your home is older, you might even be battling single pane glazing that isn’t efficient for keeping warm in. And the cold out.
Check all windows and doors for gaps and fill them in with caulk. If you’re renting, there are removable options that’ll ensure you get your full deposit back. Once those defenses are solid, check for any other drafts. Places like under sink plumbing, fireplaces, and electrical outlets can hide holes that lead outside. Fill them in with expandable spray foam. You’ll be surprised how much warmer your home feels after this simple hack.
- Insulate
Your home loses 25% of its heat through the roof. And you don’t need to renovate your home to fix it. Instead, take time to consider what the insulation is like up in the eaves. You can double it up really simply with some foam boards. And if you want to go the extra mile, pump extra insulation into the walls too. Because a poorly insulated home is costing you money to heat and keep at a comfortable temperature.
Don’t forget your floor either. Add an extra layer of insulation with some toe-curlingly soft rugs. Not only do they keep your feet warm, but they bump up your insulation too. And who doesn’t love an extra rug or 5?
Please note that some of the links above and below are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you. All opinions are my own.
