This time of year, we all want our homes to feel warm and cozy...but nobody is excited about a sky-high heating bill. So we put together a list of 10 easy winter hacks to keep your home warmer without touching the thermostat. Some are practical, some are surprisingly effective, and one is just delicious!
Here we go:
- Install a Programmable Thermostat: A programmable [or smart] thermostat lets you automatically lower the temp when you’re asleep or away, and warm things up right before you get home. It’s one of those “set it once and forget it” upgrades that pays you back every month.
- Make Sure Heating Vents Are Open and Not Blocked: Sounds obvious, but furniture, rugs, and can curtains quietly block vents. A quick walk-through to uncover them can make your whole system work better with almost zero effort.
- Add a Door Draft Stopper: That cold air sneaking under your door? That’s money escaping!! As our Dad said, "We're not trying to heat the whole neighborhood!" A simple draft stopper [or even a rolled towel] can make a noticeable difference immediately.
- Insulate Windows with Plastic Film or Bubble Wrap: Not glamorous, but effective. Plastic window kits or even bubble wrap can create an insulating layer that keeps warm air inside where it belongs. Plus, it looks terrible! =)
- Seal Your Windows: Tiny cracks around windows let cold air creep in and warm air leak out. A little caulk or weather-stripping can fix that fast and cheaply.
- Open Curtains on a Sunny Day: Free heat! Sunlight coming through your windows can naturally warm your space during the day. Just remember to close the curtains again at night to trap that precious warmth inside.
- Put Your Ceiling Fan on Reverse: Flip the switch so it spins clockwise at low speed. This pushes warm air [which rises, if you'll remember science class] back down into the room instead of letting it hang out near the ceiling.
- Keep Interior Doors Open: Let warm air circulate through your home instead of trapping it in one room. Your furnace will thank you for not making it work so hard. And we love a grateful furnace.
- Boost Insulation: Attic and wall insulation are like a winter coat for your house. If your home always feels drafty, this might be the long-term fix that makes the biggest difference.
- Bake Some Treats: This one is science and joy. Baking warms your kitchen and makes your house smell amazing!! Terry's gonna try to talk his kids into making some chocolate chip cookies this weekend!
A few small tweaks can go a long way toward making your home cozier and more efficient this winter!
