A home without adequate heating is not only uncomfortable but also dangerous during the cold winter months. Read on to find out how to get your home warm and toasty this winter! Not only does heating keep us warm in the winter, but it can also save us money, especially if we use alternative heating sources like solar energy.
Tankless Water Heater
Heating water only when needed is something every homeowner should aim for this winter season. One way of doing this is installing a tankless water heater instead of an electric or gas water heater. While these do take some time to heat up, tankless models are much more efficient in the long run, so you won’t have to worry about constantly keeping your hot water tank in check. Tankless water heaters are a great way to save money and energy. Another reason to pick a tankless water heater is that it is durable and easy to use. When a hot water tap is opened, cold water runs into the tankless water heater.
As the water flows into the unit, an electric heating element heats the water. When the water exits the tankless water heater, it’s hot and ready to be used. So not only will you have what you need when it comes time to shower, but this trick will keep things nice and cosy until then!
Dress Warmly
Wearing an extra layer can make all the difference in staying nice and toasty inside. When you’re cold, it’s much harder to stay warm, so putting on a sweater or two before facing the winter chill is always a good strategy. If you don’t want to break out the sweaters, wearing multiple layers of clothing is another effective way of staying warm. Make sure that each layer traps heat close to your body, so you’ll have no problem keeping warm this winter!
Insulate Your Home
Having gaps in your home’s exterior makes it easier for cold air to sneak into your house, thus turning your cosy abode into an icebox. To combat this, install weather stripping around the bottom third of doors, cover windows with insulating curtains, and place plastic on the inside of your window panes. You can find all this at any hardware store. The best way to keep your home warm is to block the cold from coming in. Many places have insulation, but if you don’t, or it is incomplete, now is a good time to invest in some. There are different types of insulation depending on what kind of structure you have, so be sure to do your research before purchasing any. Insulation can save money because it keeps the cold air away from inside and pumps up the temperature inside by not allowing it to escape as easily, which helps lower heating costs too!
Close Off Unused Rooms
Suppose you have rooms in your house where you don’t spend much time; consider closing them off for winter. This will keep the heat from escaping through doors and walls, so it’s free to warm up rooms that are being used! When you want access to these closed-off areas, open a door or window to let warm air in.
Heating Up The Bathroom
When you’re getting ready for work or taking a shower in the morning, do you ever think how long it takes to warm up the bathroom enough so you don’t get a chill while you’re getting ready? Installing an electric timer switch on your bathroom heater can help keep things cosy until you need them. Additionally, turning down your thermostat by just a few degrees at night and when no one is home can make a big difference in your heating bills. Lowering your thermostat from 72 to 68 degrees will save about 150 kWh of energy per month. If it’s too cold, dress in layers and turn up the thermostat just long enough to get warm!
Look For Free Or Low-Cost Tricks
Switching to energy-efficient light bulbs may be one of the best things you can do for your heating bills. Over time, replacing all your standard light bulbs with compact fluorescent (CFL) or LED light bulbs will make a huge difference. Additionally, lowering the heat in unused rooms or using an electric heater on high power for short periods is a great way to stay warm without spending extra money.
Take Care Of Your Furnace And Boiler
Hiring a professional to come by your house for regular furnace and boiler maintenance can help prevent breakdowns, which often cause icy cold homes during the winter. Prolonged periods of disuse or lack of care can weaken these systems, making them more susceptible to abrupt breakdowns that could cut off heat in the middle of winter. If you have central heating, take care of it, so it doesn’t break down when you need it most!
Having your house warm and cosy during the winter is possible. It just takes a little bit of tweaking on things so that you can save more money than usual. There are several ways to keep your home warm without spending too much, which allows you to enjoy the cold winter days with comfort! Use these tips for this winter season, and stay cosy all year round!
