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Don’t Let Heat Escape! Bundle Up Your Home
Posted On: October 20, 2019
One of the best parts of winter is cozying up in your favorite blanket (or Snuggie, remember those?), warmed by your precious body heat. Did you know you could give your house the same treatment AND save money on your energy bill in the process? Check out these tips to bundle up your house so your energy bill freezes instead.
Cushion Up Your Curtains
The thicker the curtain, the more heat you can keep from slipping out your window. Curtains with a thermal lining are incredibly cost effective, though if you are looking for a do-it-yourself option you can just line your current curtains with materials like fleece or PVC shower curtains.
PRO TIP: Be sure to let the sunlight in during the day! Sunlight is natural (free) heat, so soak up as much as possible.
Don’t Overlook the Windows!
Even with thick curtains, you can lose heat through glass. Double-pane windows offer added insulation, but DIY-projects like a layer of bubble-wrap or plastic sheeting can work too.
Close the Door on the Cold
Consider investing in a door with a foam insulation core for optimal insulation. If you have a glass door, you can take the same precautions you take with windows. While a fur rug or a plastic shower curtain over a door may be odd looking, you can’t argue with all the bonus heat retained.
A Little Draft Adds Up
Heat can escape through the smallest leaks; you’re going to want to seal up the edges of your home so it’s as close to airtight as possible. Weather stripping around doors and windows, as well as caulk around the outside equivalents, will go a long way to a warm home.
A Bare Floor is a Cold Floor
Did you know a substantial portion of your home’s heat escapes through your floor? Cover it up with a heavy rug! Your feet and your energy bill will thank you.
A Professional Job
Spoiler alert: heat rises. If your home has an attic, it also doubles as heat’s primary escape route. Add attic insulation to keep all that warm air within your home. This can be rather difficult, so it is highly advised that beginners hire a professional. While this can be one of the more costly tips on the list, the return on your investment makes it well worth it.
Space, the Final Frontier
Consider space heaters for certain (smaller) rooms. If you can, close doors to help trap the heat within that singular room. For safety reasons, you’ll want to keep a 3-foot buffer zone of space between the heater, and anything else.