Are you worried about how you will be able to afford this year’s heating bill in your home this winter? Trust me, you’re not alone. When you’re on a tight budget, you’re looking for just about any available option out there so that you can keep the cost down.
There are several different ways to keep your house warm without you having to spend a bunch of money. Check out these tips on how to keep your house warm when you’re on a budget.
1. Minimize Window Heat Loss
Besides every time you open the front door, a majority of the heat that escapes from your home is sneaking out the cracks of your windows. So it’s a good idea that you add insulation to your windows just before the frigid winter temperatures arrive.
Window insulation kits are relatively cheap when compared to the cost of heat that has been escaping your windows all these years. They’re available on Amazon, as well as places like Menards, Lowe’s, and The Home Depot.
If you want to be more frugal on the matter, blankets and duct tape will also work, it just won’t be as pretty. You can also use this tip with the backdoor of your home or any other entryway that your family doesn’t use that often.
2. Uncover South Facing Windows on Sunny Days
Even when it’s cold outside but you are experiencing a sunny day, uncover the south-facing windows of your home so that the sunlight can naturally heat your home. You’ll be amazed at how much this can help. Just remember to cover them back up at night.
3. Insulate Your Home Inside and Out
While you may spend a little bit of money upfront on insulation for areas around your home, you’re saving yourself far more money in the long run. Make sure that not only your walls are better protected, but also your radiator and hot water pipes as well.
If you have a crawl space or a utility area in your home, you want to have those areas better insulated also.
4. Prevent Blocking Warm Air Flow
Another one to remember is to avoid blocking any air vents in your home and also make sure that they are all open in the rooms that you use regularly. Don’t cover them with furniture, dirty laundry, or any other items. Just these small things are keeping you from experiencing a warmer home.
5. Keep Heat From Escaping
You really need to prevent heat from getting out once your home is warm.
For those of you that have attics or chimneys in your home, there’s a good chance that heat is escaping from these areas. Double-check to make sure that your attic has proper insulation, especially around the entryway.
You also need to ensure that your chimney’s flue and draft (if you have both) are closed so that the room’s heat doesn’t escape.
6. Close Off Doors and Vents in Unused Rooms
Are there rooms in your home that your family doesn’t use very often? If so, consider shutting each of the air vents in these rooms and keeping the doors closed to keep your heating costs down.
But you also have to be careful with this one, especially if there’s plumbing involved in these rooms. You certainly don’t want to end up with frozen pipes.
7. Insulate Your Floors with Rugs and Carpet
Do you have beautiful hardwood floors in your home? Even if you don’t, you can always add rugs and small pieces of carpet to provide extra insulation to your floors to help keep your feet warm.
8. Cover Your Walls with Blankets
If it’s ever extremely cold outside and you’re having trouble keeping your home warm, consider hanging blankets over your walls, not just over the windows. You may not know it, but cold air can still radiate off of the walls, causing your home to feel even colder. But if you cover your walls with blankets, you should notice a considerable difference.
9. Keep Several Throw Blankets Close By
Have you ever noticed that every once in a while when you sit down or are laying all sprawled out on the couch that you start to get cold? That’s because our blood circulation slows down. Instead of spending more money by turning up the heat, resort to covering up with a throw blanket or a lap rug to remain comfortable.
10. Snuggle Up and Cuddle with Your Pet
Try not to reach for the thermostat every time you get a little cold. Make it a habit of finding a cozy spot on the couch and cuddle up with your furry loved one. You’ll stay nice and warm while sharing each other’s body heat, and before you know it, you both may be taking an afternoon catnap together.
11. Don’t Drain the Tub After a Bath
Instead of always draining out the hot water from the bathtub every time you’re done taking a bath, allow the heat to warm up the air. It’s also a good idea to fill up your bathtub with water when there’s a winter storm coming. That way you have an emergency water supply in case you were to lose power.
12. Leave the Stove Open After Cooking
Winter is the perfect time of year to use your oven regularly, whether you’re baking delicious baked goods, or preparing a warm hearty meal for your family just in time for dinner. Just remember to leave your stove slightly open to allow the free heat to circulate around your home.
13. Splurge a Little on an Energy Efficient Space Heater
Although you’ll be spending a little bit of money on this one, an energy-efficient space heater will go a long way in heating certain rooms that you spend a lot of time in. If you often find yourself working at a desk from home, you can use it to keep your feet warm.
14. Keep Your Fireplace or Wood Stove Going
If you have access to cheap or affordable wood then your fireplace can be an amazing budget-friendly option for heating your home. If you only have one you may want to spend the majority of your day in that room.
Never leave a fireplace or wood stove unattended!
Keep Your House Warm on a Budget
As you can now see, it’s not impossible when you’re on a budget to keep your home warm during the winter months. You can lower your energy bill without being uncomfortable.
Besides these tips mentioned above, you can also wear cozy sweatpants, a soft fleece sweatshirt, and thick socks so that you stay nice and comfortable.
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