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Ways to Make Your Home Feel Warmer This Winter
With Christmas firmly in the rearview mirror, the remaining weeks of winter can seem even less appealing. The short days and dark evenings are still present, but without the excitement of the festive period to get us through.
The cost of living crisis has hit many households incredibly hard, and the cold weather is incredibly difficult to cope with. Families are avoiding putting on their heating to save money and are therefore having to battle with freezing temperatures even when indoors. Being cold is not just unpleasant, it can actually be damaging for your health too.Studies show that low temperatures can actually put a strain on your cardiovascular system, making you far more susceptible to issues like heart disease.
Spring is not far off, and it won’t be too long before the flowers start blooming, the sun comes out, and you’ll be switching on your water cooled air conditioning system. But in the meantime, you’ll need to look after yourself to get through the winter. Although central heating is the most effective way to warm up, for a lot of people this isn’t an option. But fortunately there are several ways you can stave off the cold without putting a dent in your household budget. The following article lists a few of the best ways to make your home feel warmer throughout the winter.
Wear warm layers
The best advice regarding staying warm is to heat the person, not the home. Putting on your central heating is not the most efficient method, because it warms a large area of your home, when you can never be in more than one room at a time. It’s much more cost-effective to heat yourself instead. You can achieve this by wearing multiple warm layers to trap the heat. Put on a thermal layer with several warm jumpers and other items on top. You lose a lot of heat through your head and feet, so thick socks and a wooly hat can be a lifeline.
Conserve heat
Many of our daily activities at home produce heat, so you should make the most of these when they appear. Cooking is the primary one, as there is so much thermal energy created as a byproduct of a hot meal. If you have dinner on the go, your kitchen is probably the warmest place to hang out, so if you have room to gather your family in here, you won’t have to switch on the heating in another room.
Once the food is out of the oven, make sure you leave the door open so that the hot air can circulate around the home, keeping you warm. Try not to open doors and windows while food is cooking or air will escape. Instead, turn on a ventilator fan to extract the steam from cooking. Proper ventilation is also crucial for preventing moisture buildup that can lead to mould. For existing mould issues, professional mould removal london services may be necessary.
There are also ways to conserve heat and warm water when bathing. If all members of your household shower at different times, each person will have to wait for the water to heat up, thereby wasting energy. But if everyone showers consecutively, everyone’s water will be warm as soon as they step in. You can all take shorter showers and thereby save money while still keeping warm.
Get your boiler checked
There may be a few times when you do need to put your heating on. Perhaps the temperatures drop to an unbearable level, you need the occasional burst of heat to stop your pipes from freezing. In these instances, you want to make sure your boiler is as efficient as possible. This will allow you to warm your home more effectively while also saving money on your utility bills at the same time. You may also find that you want to add to the heat by using gas fires freestanding and the like too. These can really help you to have a much warmer home in no time at all times of the year.
It’s therefore a good idea to have your boiler checked to ensure it is as working as it should be. In addition to the comfort and financial benefits, you will be able to reduce your carbon footprint and ensure your boiler is safe.
Invite friends round
Sharing body heat with loved ones is a great way to stay warm. Rather than your friends and family shivering in separate homes, why not get everyone together in one location? Your home will feel a little warmer as a result, and the social atmosphere will help to take your mind off the discomfort. You could even choose to alternate the location, by throwing a gathering in a different person’s home each week. This way, only one person has to foot the heating bill at a time and so you can all save money together.
Spend time outdoors
It’s a good idea not to spend all day cooped up at home when it’s freezing outside. Make an effort to get out at least once a day, whether it’s to go shopping or for a walk in the local countryside. Wrap up warm and embrace the beautiful winter weather, and as soon as you get back indoors your house will feel a lot warmer by comparison. While you’re out, you can also make use of the free heating provided by cafes, libraries, shopping centers, or other public buildings.
Rearrange furniture
If your furniture is blocking the radiators, the heat is not able to circulate effectively. This means you are just burning through your energy bills without feeling much of the benefit. The new year is an excellent opportunity for a fresh start and a home transformation. Spend some time rearranging furniture to allow the optimum transference of heat. Move large sofas, arm chairs and tables away from radiators and move them to other areas that are near to the heat source without blocking it.
Exclude drafts
There is nothing worse than a drafty home, and even the slightest gaps in windows and door frames can cause a serious chill. Excluding drafts is a relatively easy job – it’s finding them in the first place that’s the tough part. Check your doors and windows for any cracks or openings through which cold air might be able to penetrate. Most hardware stores sell window insulation kits, draft stoppers, or other weatherproofing equipment to plug these holes and ensure all the cold air remains outside and the heat stays in. For more serious moisture and draft issues, consider professional Proteus Waterproofing solutions to ensure your home stays dry and warm.
Let the light in
Just because it’s cold outside, that doesn’t mean you can’t benefit from the sun’s warmth. If you have south-facing rooms with large windows, these areas have the potential to trap huge amounts of light and heat from the sun. These heat can linger for several hours, making your home a far more comfortable place to be. But in order to enjoy this heat, you need to have your curtains open at the right time. Open your curtains first thing in the morning to let in as much light and thermal energy as possible. Close the curtains when the sun starts to wane in the late afternoon so you can retain this warmth for as long as possible.
Add rugs
A cold, hardwood floor or kitchen tiles will feel incredibly unpleasant on your feet, especially if you are barefoot or just in socks. We lose a lot of heat from our feet, so this is one of the most important areas you can make a difference. Lay down thick rugs in rooms with cold, hard flooring, and it will immediately be much nicer to walk on. Combined with thick socks and quality slippers, your feet will thank you for this kindness.
Light candles
You’d have to light hundreds, if not thousands, of candles to heat your entire home, but a few well-placed ones can still make a difference. Not only do these little flames make a home feel more cosy and hygge in winter, but they can transfer some warmth to their surrounding areas. Pick up a few pleasant smelling candles from your local home store, or learn how to make your own.
Buy an electric blanket
There are so many great heating devices that are highly effective yet considerably cheaper than turning on your central heating. An electric blanket is an excellent option. It simply plugs into the wall and allows you to stay warm and toasty when it is wrapped around you. Most of them have control buttons so you can adjust the heat level or set a timer in case you fall asleep. It is also possible to buy heated USB gloves, hot water bottles, or microwaveable wheat bags to keep you warm. And you can run these items for a fraction of the cost of a radiator.
Warm your insides
When it’s freezing indoors, you need to bring heat into your body however you can. And one great way to do this is from the inside. Eating hot meals and drinking warm beverages can make an enormous difference to your core temperature. Make an effort to prepare at least one home cooked meal a day to stay warm, such as soup or a hearty stew. Drink tea, coffee, or hot chocolate regularly throughout the day to ward off the cold.
In summary, there are so many different ways to stay warm without switching on your central heating. Just follow these tips and you’ll be able to get through winter and look forward to spring.