Diaries Magazine

How To Keep Your Home Warm This Winter

Posted on the 15 October 2014 by Sparklesandstretchmarks @raine_fairy
The winter months are the perfect time for a big mug of hot cocoa, snuggling underneath layers of blankets, or spending time reading a favorite book while curled on the couch. The cold and dark months make us think more about ways to stay warm while letting us enjoy the things we love to do. For many homeowners, services like Carrier heating and cooling rentals are just the thing. Here are more tips to help you keep your home warm during the chilly months.
Seal those gaps
Wall and window gaps and cracks let the cold air in, making your heating system work harder and use up more energy to maintain a comfortable temperature. The U.S. Department of Energy reports that drafts can waste up to 30 percent of energy use. To keep warm and save on resources, seal up those gaps and cracks using weather stripping materials around windows and doors, and apply gap filler for wall cracks. You can also keep heat in the house by using heavy curtains. Install lined curtains that extend below the frame for best results. Drafts can also be avoided by installing a draft snake under a door. You can make this yourself using scraps of fabric.
Install insulation
Did you know that when properly insulated, you can save as much as 45% on energy costs? Invest in your house’s installation to avoid excessive utility bills in the future. You can also layer the insulation over an old or thinning one. It’s also a good idea to insulate hot water pipes using insulating tape in order to reduce the loss of heat as the water travels from the tank to the taps.
Cover up the floor
Keep your feet away from cold tiles and bare floorboards by placing carpets and area rugs. Rugs on wood flooring can also keep cold air from seeping up into the room. You can also squirt silicone-based filler into the gaps or cracks in the flooring to keep the cold out.
Close off unused rooms
Turn off the heating in rooms that are not in use and close the door. It’s not good to waste energy in areas such as storage rooms, where old boxes and furniture can’t even feel the cold. Closing off unused rooms can also help contain the heat you’ve already generated.
Change the sheets
Replace your cotton bedspreads with flannel sheets, and layer the bed with extra blankets and comforters. You can also drape blankets over the couch to make everything snug and cozy.
Set ceiling fans on clockwise rotation
At school, we were taught that cold air is denser than warm air. In the house, the warm air stays near the ceiling, and this is where ceiling fans come in. Ceiling fans can be set to rotate in the other direction, that is, clockwise. When set at a low speed, the fan can drive the warm air down while sucking the cold air up and away from you.
Work with the sun
During the day, open up curtains to let the sunshine in. The heat from the sun streaming through the windows can do wonders for warming your house. Bask in the sun while you’re at it—it’s good for your health!
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