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During winter, the cold seems to penetrate through every single crevice and crack in your house, making it difficult to stay comfortable.
With the high costs of fuel, heating your home in winter can crank up your energy bills. You should look for ways to keep your home warmer while also reducing your heating costs.
Fortunately, there are many ways you can keep warm in the winter months and make your home more energy-efficient to cut back on heating bills.
One of them is replacing your furnace’s old filter with MERV 11 filters to improve energy efficiency and save on heating costs.
Alongside changing your heating system’s filters, here are some other great ways to keep your home warm and cozy in winter:
1. Maximize Your Insulation
About 25% of the heat produced from your heating system escapes through the roof of your home. Holes and cracks in the attic contribute to the loss of significant amounts of heat through the roof.
You can reduce heat loss through proper insulation. Install insulation throughout your home’s attic to keep heat inside and improve coziness during winter.
Be sure to check your windows and doors, as an estimated 25% of all heat inside your home goes their way.
Insulate your windows by sealing any draughts with self-adhesive foam strips and apply a thermal sealant to fill all air gaps. Install a draft blocker and foam strips to insulate your doors.
Be sure also to install wall and floor insulation to reduce heat loss further and save on heating costs.
2. Use Your Curtains
Apart from sealing any leaks and gaps on your windows and doors, you may also use your curtains to keep your home warm in winter. Curtains and blinds provide an extra layer of insulation, helping retain warm air inside and the cold air outside your home.
Curtains help prevent heat loss through radiation and reduce condensation during those chilly days.
If your curtains consist of light fabrics, consider swapping them with heavier ones that can conserve warmth more efficiently.
Open your curtains during the day to make the most of free solar heat, and close your drapes and blinds once the sun goes down to prevent heat loss. Check to ensure your curtains don’t block any floor registers and radiators.
3. Move Furniture Away From Heating Vents
During the colder days, you might be tempted to move your sofa as close as to your heating unit or vents if you have central heating to feel warmer.
However, blocking your vents or heating unit with furniture inhibits warm air from circulating around the house, leading to higher energy costs.
You can prevent this by keeping furniture away from your vents to allow improved circulation of warm air throughout your house.
That can help your home feel instantly warmer during the winter months without spending much on your energy bill. You may also want to invest in a space heater to provide warmth to specific areas of your home.
4. Get a Smart Thermostat
Installing a smart thermostat can help keep your house warm and toasty in winter while saving you tons of money on your energy bill.
That’s because a smart thermostat lets you program your heating system to only operate at predefined times. This way, you can ensure your home stays warm only when you’re around or need it to be.
Some smart thermostats even allow you to control your heating remotely via your smartphone. This means you can turn on your heating unit while on your way home to ensure it’s cozy and toasty once you arrive.
When not in use, you also can turn it off from wherever you are, ensuring you only consume energy when you need it.
5. Place Rugs on the Floors
If you’re looking to make your home feel cozier and warmer instantly, consider placing several rugs on the floors. Rugs can help keep your feet warm during those cold days.
They also act as an additional layer of insulation, reducing drafts between floorboards and preventing heat loss.
Endnote
Implementing these tips can help you keep warm and comfortable during the winter months without spending tons of money on energy costs.
Be sure to keep furniture away from vents, seal off any hole and crack that could cause drafts, and ensure proper insulation of your home.
Most importantly, ensure your heating system is working properly. This will help make sure little to no heat is lost, so you can enjoy maximum coziness in your house during winter.
