Getting that utilities bill can be a downer, especially during the winter. It takes money out of your pocket and wastes energy that could have gone to something else. But instead of turning things up every time the house starts to get cold, try insulating your home to make the most out of the heat you pay for. Insulation will help the warmth stay indoors so you’re not always running to the thermostat, keeping your wallet happy and the environment green. Doing this doesn’t have to mean large construction costs and expensive material, though. Here are four ways cheap ways to keep warm in the winter without breaking the bank.
- Thicken Those Curtains
Photo: Courtesy of decoration0.com.
According to a report released by Cornell University, 15 to 22 percent of heat is lost through windows in the average one-story house. To prevent this, try getting thicker curtains to prevent heat from escaping. Curtains with a thermal lining can range anywhere from $20 to $50- relatively cheap for a long-term savings plan. But if you don’t want to splash out on new curtains, you can get similar results by lining fleece or thick cotton on your existing curtains. This can make for a fun do-it-yourself project and reduce waste if you can dig up the material from around the house. Also make sure to keep the curtains open during the day and close them at night; this gives the sun a chance to naturally heat the room.
- If You Aren’t Using the Room, Close It Off
If no one is in a room, close the door and seal it off by stuffing towels or blankets in the crack underneath. This will help keep the warmth inside the rooms that you are using and prevent cold air leaking out from the rooms that you aren’t using. This is a quick, easy, and free way to keep your heat in. For a bigger result, hang heavy blankets on the doors and make sure to cover the all cracks on the side and top.
- You’re Losing Heat…Right Under Your Feet
Photo: Courtesy of rilane.com.
The floor is another area that heat likes to escape through. To prevent cold feet, try putting down an area rug to help keep the floors snug. The National Energy Foundation reported that poorly insulated floors can account for up to 10 percent of a household’s heat loss. For extra cozy floors, try layering the rugs.
- Foil Isn’t Just For Cooking
If you’re getting cold, head to the kitchen for some tin foil. By putting the foil behind your home’s radiator, the heat has a chance to reflect back into room instead of slipping out through walls or floors. The foil can be attached to a wall simply by taping it. If you’re really savvy, you can measure pieces of cardboard to the size you need and wrap the foil around it. This will help for a better fit if you don’t want to tape it to the wall.
– by Connie Lee
