When it comes to interior comfort, you may not have to bump up the thermostat to feel warm and cozy. There are far more energy efficient ways to warm up your home without breaking the bank. From ceiling fans to home accessories, here are a few clever ways you can bring down the bills while driving up your interior temperature.
Reverse those Fans
Ceiling fans come with a reverse function that allow them to turn clockwise. Run them on a low speed during the winter to force the hot air lingering around the ceiling back down to you. You’ll feel the difference in the immediate area, so only run the fan if you’re actually in the room.
Go with Winter Bedding
Invest in several bedding sets for your room. In the summer, you’ll want plain cotton sheets and a lightweight blanket to sleep comfortably. In the winter, you can switch to flannel or even fleece sheets to hold on to your body heat better and keep you warm all night long. Pick up a heavier comforter so you won’t have to increase the heat too much at night when your own temperature drops.
Dress up the Hard Floor
If you have hardwood floors, then dress them up with area rugs. You’ll add color and style to the space, and make the room a bit warmer. Rugs can effectively insulate any room to make it more comfortable without changing the temperature.
Help with Radiators
If you have a radiator against the wall, then you may already know you’re losing a good deal of heat to the exterior wall. Simply line the wall with aluminum foil to reflect that valuable resource back into the living space. You can buy special sheets at the store, or just use a heavier brand from the grocery store. For safety considerations, make sure the radiator is off and cool before you work on this project.
Careful Furniture Placement
Upholstered furniture can actually absorb some of the heat that’s coming out of your vent, so move the couch to another part of the room. This will allow more heat to circulate and effectively warm the house. You’ll also want to keep your seating areas away from windows so you won’t feel a draft.
Pick up Some Caulk
If you have older windows, then you may need to replace the caulk around the frames. This is a very simple and affordable step that can drastically lower your heating bills. It only take a few minutes to remove the failing caulk. Use masking tape to get clean caulk lines when you replace it.
Look for a Hot Water Bottle
There was a time when people used hot water bottles to warm up their beds at night, and these nifty gadgets are still just as effective. Now available in modern styles and materials, they work using the same technology. Simply fill one with boiling water before you go to bed and slip it under the blanket at your feet. You’ll keep your toes warm without the added bulk of socks.
Take Care of Your Appliances
It’s also wise to give your HVAC some tender love and care. Invest in a tune-up for the furnace, and slip a custom AC unit cover over the outside compressor to keep everything safe during the long winter months. Your system will run more efficiently all year long as a result.
While you may be dreaming of installing new windows or an upgraded furnace in your home, the fact is that you don’ t have to spend much to keep your home comfortable. Focus more on keeping your family members warm rather than concentrating too much on the thermostat readout.
