The beginning of winter signals that spike in heating bills. This is the time of year when your love-hate relationship with your thermostat resurfaces. Before you cash in your savings to pay for heating this winter, try these no-cost hacks.
Check the seals on your windows
The best way to save money on heating is to make sure you’re not losing heat through your windows. To test a window’s seal, hold an open flame next to it; someone on the other side will be able to tell if you have leaks. Try chalk sealant to fix the leak.
Open the curtains
Once you know your window seals are air-tight, throw open the drapes. Natural sunlight can heat your room significantly. You’ll also get some much-needed Vitamin D if the cold weather is keeping you indoors. At sunset, shut your curtains to trap the heat.
Sleep with a hot water bottle
This concept has worked for centuries; it’s the best way to stay toasty while you sleep. Keep it near your feet to retain the most warmth.
Crack the bathroom door while showering
If you know you’ll have privacy, leave your bathroom door open or cracked while you bathe. It’s an excellent trick for dispersing heat to other parts of your house rather than letting it escape out your bathroom window.
Don’t close that oven door
Winter is the perfect season to ramp up your cookie-making. When all your goodies are out of the oven, don’t shut the door and let that beautiful heat go to waste. Let it warm the kitchen and possibly other areas of your home. Make sure your oven is completely off. Never use your range as a heat source because it’s a waste of money.
Invest in a draft blocker
This nifty object is a long tube of fabric stuffed with insulating material. You use it to block drafts from sneaking through the bottom of your door. If you don’t want to pay for one, roll up a large towel or small blanket instead.
Don’t block a heat source with furniture
It’s a mistake to think that you’ll stay warm if you position your couch or chair right in front of a radiator. This practice is inefficient because the furniture just soaks up the heat, which can’t radiate through the rest of the room.
Layer up
When you feel like turning up the thermostat, put on a sweater instead. Invest in thermal underwear, or put on some sweatpants. Warm your feet with thick socks or comfy slippers; you can even wear them to bed. Layering will make up for a slightly lower temperature.
Isolate unused rooms
If no one is using your guest room, why waste money heating it? Also, close off a bathroom; chances are you’re not using it for long periods. Ensure you seal off spare rooms well enough, so the drafts don’t cool off the rooms you are using.
