We’ve had a very mild fall this year in Middle Tennessee. Even though temperatures have pushed near 80 degrees in November, cold weather will eventually be here. With that in mind have you thought about how you will heat your home this winter? Perhaps you are like most people and you have a central heating system, but what you if you could supplement it with other methods to cut down on the bulk of your heating bill?
Here are 6 inexpensive ways you can heat your home this winter.
1. Seal your windows and doors
Cracks and spaces near windows and doors are a big drain on your heating source. Try using caulking or weather stripping around your windows and doors to ensure a tight seal. If you don’t mind your windows being sealed all winter you can try lining the windows with bubble wrap or plastic window insulation. You’d be amazed at the difference this makes.
2. Close off unused rooms
Keep your heat in the areas that you actually use. Closing off rooms and heating vents in unused rooms will help to keep the warm air in smaller spaces. Less rooms to heat means less heating costs.
3. Use thick curtains
If you don’t like the idea of sealing off your windows with plastic, try using thick curtains to keep the cold drafts at bay. This way you could still open the curtains on a sunny day which will help to heat up the house as well.
4. Heat yourself
It may sound silly but keeping yourself warm will allow you to keep the temperature lower. Wear sweatshirts, use blankets, thermal underwear, etc to stay warm inside your house. The good news with cold weather is that you can always put on more clothes and add more blankets as opposed to summer where you can only take off so much.
5. Pay attention to the thermostat
Most homes these days have a programmable thermostats that allow you to program the temperature to the times when you need it the most. If you don’t have one you can get them at most home supply stores for a very reasonable price. This will definitely help cut the cost of your heating bill.
6. Use a space heater
A lot of folks use natural gas for their main heat source and as of now natural gas is less expensive than it was 8-10 years ago. Even so, you may want to try heating up smaller areas with an electric space heater. This are great for a quick warm up in the mornings or evenings. Be very careful when dealing with these type of heaters. You should never leave them unattended or plugged in while asleep.
Here’s to a warm and cozy winter!