Cold weather can be brutal. And if you haven’t prepared your home correctly, it can damage your wallet too. Luckily, there are some things that you can do to instantly improve your home’s warmth and efficiency without spending a dime.
Use free heat from the sun
Open your curtains and blinds during the day to let the sun’s rays naturally heat your home. Be sure to close your curtains at night to reduce any draft that may be caused by leaks in your windows or frames.
Keep your registers clear
Check every room in your house to be sure that none of the registers are covered up by rugs or furniture.
Lock your windows
Locking your windows will create the tightest possible seal. You should be able to feel the window push together with the frame.
Reverse your ceiling fan
When you set your ceiling fan to rotate counter clockwise, it pushes hot air gathered near your ceiling down toward the ground. It works best if you also turn your fan on its lowest speed setting.
Add extra blankets and sweaters at night
You can save extra money by adding extra layers to your usual sleepwear. You can lower your heating bills by about 10 percent if you drop your thermostat by 10 degrees at night. Be comfortable and also save some money by wearing your most comfy sweatshirt to bed.
Keep moisture in the air
If you have a humidifier, run it to add moisture to the air. Moist air feels warmer and holds heat better. If you don’t have a humidifier, you can put a fan near a pot of boiling water. Just be sure to watch it closely and don’t let any kids or pets near it to avoid serious burns. Also limit your use of exhaust fans in the bathroom and in the kitchen. During the winter months, you want to keep as much moisture as you can in your home.
