Cutting back on energy use is an easy way to keep your hard-earned money in your pocket, but it doesn’t have to leave you shivering. Here are a few things you can do at home today to stay warm this winter—at almost no cost to you.
Let the sunshine in. Open your drapes or blinds and let the sun heat your home for free (and close them at dusk so they help insulate your space).
Rearrange your rooms. Move furniture around so you lounge near interior walls. Exterior walls and older windows can be drafty.
Keep it shut. Traditional fireplaces are energy losers. It’s best not to use them because they pull heated air out of the house and up the chimney. When you’re not using yours, make sure the damper is closed.
Bundle up. Fight the urge to crank up the heat in your home. Put on a sweater, thick socks and fuzzy slippers, and keep your thermostat a few degrees lower instead.
Make a meal. Ditch the expense of takeout food and fire up your stove or oven. Not only will you get a home-cooked meal, but the residual heat from a working kitchen can go a long way to keeping you toasty.
Shut the door. If your office or spare room is just serving as storage, let the boxes, file cabinets and other furniture get frostbite. Shut the vents and the door, and keep the heat where you need it most.
Lay it out. Wood, concrete or tile floors might look nice, but they don’t warm up your house as well as a soft and cozy rug. Body heat is lost through our hands and feet, and a cold floor will only speed up this process. Rugs bring a cozy feel to a room while adding a layer of insulation for your feet.
Find a buddy. Grab your spouse or four-legged friend. Cuddles are an almost-instant way to stop the shivers. And it might be the most fun way, too!