Six Ways to Stay Warm without Central Heating

Whether you’re looking for ways to save a few bucks or to be kinder to the environment, these are some fun tips to fight the cold.

Here are a few extremely DIY ways to save on your heating costs this winter.

1. COVER THE WINDOWS:

Feel your windows, if they're cold, that means they're making your whole house cold. The smart, cost-effective solution is to insulate your doors and windows for extreme weather conditions. Proper insulation cuts your electric bill and makes your house more energy-efficient. If you don’t have time or short on money then nail heavy blankets over the windows. One important tip: make sure the windows are shut all the way before you cover them.

2. HOT WATER BOTTLE:

They're not just for sick cartoon characters any more! Water has a high heat capacity, which means it takes a lot to change its temperature. A bottle of warm water will hold its heat for a while even in a cold house, acting as a very cheap mini-furnace. The rubber bottles made for this purpose may be better insulated and more comfortable to hug, but any bottle will do in a pinch. A quick and dirty DIY cover made out of an old sweater improves warmth storage and snuggliness.

3. HOT BEVERAGES:

This one is hardly a secret, but cup after cup of tea, cocoa, and/or coffee are an integral part of any winter survival plan. It seems important to mention here that, despite what you may have heard, liquor doesn't actually make you warmer. However, for those so inclined, the right drink can make you feel warmer. A cup of just about any kind of non-fruity tea with a shot of whiskey combines the best of both worlds.

4. FORTS:

Living-room forts should be familiar to anyone who has ever been or met a child, but here's how they work: gather as many pillows and blankets as you can from around the house and pile them into an inhabitable structure. They're not only a fun way to make a mess of the house, forts can keep you warm for free. As long as you're willing to confine yourself to one room that you leave for food and cocoa, a fort is a great way to make a final stand against the cold since it concentrates all the available insulation in a smaller space. Fort building is also a fun group activity to combat Seasonal Affective Disorder, also known as seasonal depression.

5. LAYERS:

Anyone who puts on one sweater and then wants to turn on the heat just isn't trying hard enough. If one doesn't work, try two, three, seven sweaters or pairs of socks. This is basically the same operating principle as step four: concentrate available warming materials. If you're cold under a blanket or two, add more. If you've nailed all your extra blankets to the walls in accordance with tip one or constructed them into a fort as in tip four, put a few clean towels in between layers. Sure, you may not be able to put your arms at your sides wearing all your flannel and sweaters at the same time, but you won't be cold.

6. COMPANY:

The most efficient, least costly, and most fun way to stay warm in the face of winter's chill is to hang out with friends and family. Besides distracting you from the cold, people produce their own heat. Crowd everyone into a small room or a fort in accordance with step four and feel the literal and figurative warmth. A concentrated crowd can turn an icebox into a party sauna, and everyone can bring their own sweaters and blankets, increasing the collection of warmth beyond your physical into your social network. All the hot water bottles in the world don't hold a candle to sharing the cold with others.

Energy Savings Ideas

Have you ever considered how much the dust that’s gathering in your home is costing you in energy bills?

When dust builds up on the registers and vent covers in your home, for example, it becomes “insulation” that blocks the heat’s path into the room. The harder a heater has to work to keep your home warm, the more you pay in utility costs. So, as you look ahead at winter heating bills, a thorough dusting with special attention to registers and vent covers is a good idea. While you’re at it, is that furniture really where it needs to be? By rearranging a few pieces away from exterior walls and toward interior walls, you’ll feel less draft, stay warmer and be more comfortable. Get a little sunshine into the picture too. Open the drapes and let the sun’s natural warmth heat your room at no extra cost. Then close them at night as insulators to keep warmth in.

These are just a few natural, free ways to help reduce your energy costs and increase your comfort. Other small steps can also make a big difference. For example:

• Set your thermostat no higher than 68 degrees. Better yet, install a programmable thermostat to set back the temperature while you’re away during the day, or when you’re asleep at night. A programmable thermostat can save up to $180 every year in energy costs.

• Keep your heating system tuned-up to make sure it’s operating at its peak efficiency when cold weather comes in strong. Also, you’ll want it evaluated for any dangerous carbon monoxide leaks that may raise a concern.

It’s no news that energy costs are a big expense for homeowners. And not surprisingly, heating and cooling account for more than half of this amount. If you’d like to learn more about conserving energy in your home, call to request our free report titled, “Winter Energy Savers”.