Keep Your Home Warmer
Everyone seems to be concerned with saving money and saving energy. One of the biggest winter home expenditures is heating costs. Hopefully we can come up with some valuable resources for keeping your home warm.
One of the most common forms of heat loss is drafts. Check windows and doors for cold air. You can also burn something and follow the smoke to see where the draft is coming from.
When you find the drafts you can use weather stripping to seal up the draft. If there is a draft under a door it?s easy to throw down a draft blocker or a rolled up towel. Some people get creative and do all kinds of creations with plastic, sheets, tape, etc. You?ll have to follow your budget and tastes on that one.
Some people like soft absorbent furniture with lots of pillows and throws. This can also make your room warmer. Not to mention cozier. Cold air can get absorbed in all of the cushiony softness, keeping things warmer.
Improvements in insulation techniques make it worthwhile to spend the money and have a professional come out and insulate your walls and attics. If you have an older drafty home this can be a worthwhile investment.
If you have an electric thermostat you can set it a little colder while you are at work or sleeping. But prevent the temperature from dropping so cold that it will be hard to warm it back up. This will save energy and money, plus keep your home comfortable.
Also proper maintenance on your furnace or heating unit, including, keeping it clean and checking filters, will keep things running efficiently. This will help keep your home warmer and save on heating costs as well.
A fun and popular way to keep your home warmer is to use a fireplace. Some refer to this as zone heating. Where you put extra heat in the room that everyone is using, such as the family room with the fireplace, and then the thermostat can be set lower, to save on energy costs.
If you have wood burning fireplace you can make it more efficient with a gas or electric fireplace insert. This will also make it more environmentally friendly. You can also get a blower with your insert that will distribute the heat better.
Many cleaner burning gas fireplaces have blowers which will help distribute the warm air into the living area. If you don?t have a fireplace you may want to look into the electric fireplace option. Electric fireplaces can add that perfect touch of ambiance while also putting out a lot of extra heat. There are many things you can do to make your home more energy efficient and warmer. If you?re in a pinch you can always fall back on the old standby of sweatshirts and blankets. Also to warm up quickly a hot shower and a warm drink can come in handy. Also don?t forget the oldest method of all time, cuddling.
If you don?t have a fireplace the electric fireplace is a great option. They can be inexpensive and portable and warm your room while giving you something to look at. If all else fails, get a blanket and light some candles. Enjoy your winter.
