Many parts of the nation are experiencing a severe winter, with record lows and plenty of snow. This means that it’s also an expensive heating season, taxing your system and your wallet.
We know that it can be tough to keep your home nice and cozy without running up the bill, so we wanted to talk about a few easy tips that might help you stay warmer and pay less money.
- Thick curtains can help keep the cold out and the warmth in, especially at night and on windows that face north and south. While this is a very low-tech method, it can definitely make a difference in the comfort of your home.
- If your doors are drafty, roll up towels and place them along the bottom, extending out at least an inch or two farther than the edge of your door. While you should look for a more long term solution to drafts from poorly installed or poorly fitted doors, this is a quick fix that can help. This can be particularly helpful in older homes.
- Turn your ceiling fans on reverse to better help circulate warm air through the room. This might seem counter-intuitive, but when the fan is in reverse it doesn’t create a draft. Rather, it increases air circulation in the room.
- Close the doors and vents in unused rooms to reduce heating cost and keep living spaces warmer. This can be particularly helpful in small rooms and in emergency situations.
- If you have a chimney that you’re not using, make certain that the flue and draft (if it has both) are closed. An open chimney will pull the heat right out of your home!
There are some longer term solutions that you might not be able to do right away, but should considered. For instance, a programmable thermostat allows you to use less heat while you’re away but warm it when you’re at home. Insulating your pipes and checking the seals on your duct work can also improve your home’s comfort and reduce your heating costs.
Do you have some tried and true tips for keeping your home comfortable and warmer in the winter? Come and share them on our Facebook page.