How to Keep Your Home Warm This Winter
Was winter begins, the temperature outside is starting to drop. As we snuggle up under our blankets for the winter, we start thinking about ways to keep our homes warm.
Just increasing the temperature on the thermostat by a few degrees can result in a costly electric bill. Luckily, there are a few different ways that you can keep your home warmer this winter without incurring too many expenses.
Upgrade Insulation
Many older homes come with ineffective and inefficient insulation. You can have a professional inspect your home to see how your insulation is holding up.
They’ll take a look at the spaces in between your walls, the attic and around your foundation. You should also pay close attention to your windows and doors. Drafts like to creep into these areas and force you to increase your thermostat.
Get a Fireplace
A fireplace can be a cozy addition to your home. A wood-burning fireplace is incredibly affordable and efficient and will save you a ton of money on gas and electricity.
While fireplaces burn many different types of fuel, a wood-burning fire doesn’t require utilities to run. Not to mention, a fireplace adds a very cozy ambiance to your home. You will feel warmer just by snuggling up next to the fire on a cold and snowy afternoon.
Make sure that you’re getting good airflow around your home. This will help transfer the warm air to different rooms.
Close Off Unused Rooms
If you have rooms in your home that aren’t being used as frequently as others, you may want to think about closing off those rooms.
There’s really no need to heat unused rooms to the temperature of other rooms in your home. But you don’t want them to get too cold. Letting rooms get too cold could cause problems in your home.
Keeping unused rooms just 5 degrees colder than the rest of the home can decrease the amount of time that your furnace spends running.
It’s a good idea to take a look at the overall efficiency of your home before the winter arrives. If you decide to make any upgrades, you can look into rebates that may be available come tax time.
There’s no need to spend the winter freezing in your home. Adding just a little bit of insulation to your home can make a big difference. Alternative heating methods can be affordable and comfortable.
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