Tips To Stay Warm Without Cranking Up The Heat
As the weather starts to cool here in New Jersey, now is a good time to think of things you can do to help make sure your energy bills are lower this winter. To save money on energy bills, you’ll want your HVAC system to run efficiently. This means scheduling regular HVAC service.
You will also want to find ways you can keep warm without cranking up the heat. This is going to help you save on your heating costs, and also take some stress off of your heating system.
We’ll classify these tips into two buckets- one, things you can do to help your home be more energy efficient overall, and the second, things you can do to stay more comfortable, even when the temperature is lower in your home.
If you are having any trouble with your heating system, be sure to give Broadley’s a call at (609 390-3907, or contact us on our website. We have been repairing, servicing, and replacing heating systems in South Jersey for over 60 years. It’s safe to say we know the ins and outs of keeping a South Jersey home comfortable!
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Tips To Help Your Home Be More Energy Efficient
- Insulate Windows
We lose a lot of heat through our windows. Using thermal curtains or blinds can really help keep warmth in your home, especially at night. These window treatments can also help reflect heat in the summer as well.
- Use Sunlight During the Day
Open curtains and blinds during sunny days to let natural sunlight heat your home, but be sure to close them again as soon as the sun starts to go down to trap the warmth inside.
- Seal Drafts Around Doors and Windows
Fall is a good time to inspect the weather stripping around your doors and windows and make any necessary repairs. Think about adding a draft stopper at the bottom of doors, and caulk any visible gaps around baseboards and windows.
- Rugs and Floor Coverings
Adding rugs on bare tile and wood floors can keep you warmer and more comfortable, especially if you like being in bare or stocking feet at home. They also are insulating,.
- Reverse Your Ceiling Fans (Winter Mode)
Run ceiling fans clockwise at a low speed to push warm air that rises back down into the room.
- Block Off Unused Rooms
Close doors to rooms you’re not using, and adjust your dampers in your heating system to concentrate warmth where it’s needed. You just have to remember to readjust those dampers when the weather changes!
- Insulate Your Water Heater and Pipes
Wrap your water heater in an insulation blanket to reduce heat loss, or consider getting an inline water heater to give you on demand hot water, without wasting energy keeping a big heater full of water hot all the time. Insulate pipes to retain heat in your water and prevent freezing.
- Bake or Cook at Home
Here’s another good reason to cook at home and use your oven more in cold weather- the residual heat from the oven can help warm up your kitchen and add extra heat to your home.
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Staying Comfortable in Colder Weather
These tips are what we refer to as the “Cozy” list- things you can do to stay warm and snug, without resorting to cranking up the thermostat. Or, as your Grandma might say “Put on a sweater! I’m cold!”
- Layer Your Clothes
Thermal clothing, especially wool and other natural fiber clothing, can keep you warm when the temperature drops. Adding a layer, like wearing leggings under pants or skirts, or adding a t-shirt under a formal shirt, can keep you a lot warmer. And of course, adding a hat or scarf can help heat from escaping from your head.
- Use Blankets and Throws
We keep a big basket in our family room with a couple of throws in it, so anyone can cuddle up underneath one on the couch if they are a touch cold. We also keep one in our home office for the same reason- sometimes a touch of warmth is all we need.
- Electric Heating Pads and Blankets (and Heated Towel Racks)
We know people who swear by having an electric blanket or electric mattress pad to pre-warm their bed in the winter- they swear by it. For an extra bit of warmth in your master bath and a bit of luxury, consider a heated towel rack. After a trip to the UK, we were so impressed that we got one installed in our home here, and it not only gives you toasty towels after your shower, but helps them dry quickly, too. And it adds a little extra heat to the bathroom, which is great once the temperature starts to drop outside.
- Use Your Space Heater Wisely
Just like window air conditioners, space heaters can keep a room warm, but they also tend to be energy hogs. If you have one person who works at home, while everyone else is at work and school- you can turn down the heat while everyone’s out, but use a small space heater to keep the home office space cozy. This saves them a ton on monthly energy bills, without sacrificing comfort.
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We hope these simple tips- a combination of good energy efficiency tips and enhancing comfort will help you keep your thermostat set a little lower this winter, while still making sure everyone is comfortable. After all, the Sleep Foundation recommends that you’ll sleep better if the temperature is between 60o and 65oF. That feels a little cold when you’re up and active, but keeping an eye on the thermostat can save you a lot of money this winter!