Heating bills usually get expensive in the cold season. But there are plenty of things to do in order to stay warm without spending a fortune on heating in the colder months. Here are 7 tips from Corgi to keep your house warm on a budget:
1. Block Out Draughts
Preventing the current heat from escaping your home is one of the most effective ways of keeping your house warm without turning up the heating. Seal the door and windows properly around their edges and keep them closed. You can also use draught excluders to block the gaps at the bottom of the doors. If you don’t have draught excluders, make your own by stuffing tights with old socks. If you have a chimney, make sure to close it or purchase a chimney balloon to keep the heat in and cold air out. But you shouldn’t light a fire while using a chimney balloon.
2. Use Your Curtains
The sun will still be there even in the winter months. It would help if you opened the curtains to let the light and natural warmth in. Once the temperatures drop in the evening, close the curtains to keep the heat inside. It’s better to use thick curtains to block the heat from escaping. You can also create thermal curtains from old blankets in case you don’t have thick curtains. If you use blinds, make sure to open them during the day and close them at night. In fact, you should consider getting thicker curtains for winter even if you have to make them yourself.
3. Lay Down Rugs
If your floor is laminate or tile, it will absorb cold air. Covering such a floor is important to insulate your home. In fact, walking on a cold floor isn’t pleasant. The best way to prevent heat loss through the floor is to lay down rugs whenever possible. The thicker the rug, the warmer your floor will feel. Even if your floor is carpeted, using rugs may add an extra layer of insulation to keep your home warmer without turning the heat on. It also helps add new decor to your living space. In fact, a patterned rug will make your room feel more cheerful. You can even use a blanket as a rug.
4. Layering Up
If you want to keep your body warm, you should consider wearing multiple thin layers of clothing than one thick layer. The layers will trap air between them to maintain your body heat. Wearing long-sleeved trousers and tops will make sure that you don’t lose heat through exposed skin. If you feel chilly inside, you can wear jumpers, hats, jackets, and scarves. Keep blankets handy to wrap around yourself or place on your lap when sitting down. Layer your covers well when you go to bed. In fact, placing even one blanket over the duvet can help in this regard.
5. Socks & Slippers
Keeping the feet warm is quite important to regulate the body temperature. Use long bed socks and thick socks for this purpose. A sock aid tool will make it easier for you if you struggle to pull socks on. Wearing slippers around the house helps keep your feet warm and insulate against cold floors. In fact, you can rely on cushion slippers with fluffy linings to improve warmth and comfort. On the other hand, there are also adjustable slippers that you could tighten with a Velcro strap in order to make sure that your feet stay cozy and snug inside the slippers.
6. Hot Food & Hot Drinks
Consuming a hot meal or sipping a hot drink is one of the best ways to warm yourself when it is cold inside and out. In fact, hot chocolate and soup are quite popular in winter months since they help your body to warm slowly. A fluffy jacket potato or nutritious stew is also a great candidate for a cozy winter meal. You may opt for decaffeinated coffee or tea as your choice of hot beverage in case you want to avoid stimulants. Use a thermal cup or dish to keep the content warm for a longer period if you take a while to eat or drink. In fact, a thermal dish will let you fill a chamber with warm water and place the food on the plate warm. There are also thermal mugs with one or two handles which helps make it easier for you to hold the drink while you sip it.
7. Hot Water Bottles
Fill a hot water bottle with boiled water and place it next to you during the winter months. This is a budget-friendly heating solution in the cold months. You can do it whether you are lying in bed or sitting down. They will last for many years in order to keep you warm during many winters. You only need a kettle to boil the water. But you shouldn’t pour boiling water straight into the hot water bottle. Opt for a handle kettle tipper in case you are worried about safety when pouring the hot water into the bottle. Get a heat pack if you need something smaller or more flexible. They are used to treat injuries and keep you warm during winter months. They can also double as cold packs for summer. In fact, you can freeze these packs to make them cold or microwave them to make them warm. On the other hand, if you spend hours and hours sitting down, you should consider investing in a low-energy heated seat cover for your chair. These covers are ideal for soothing aches as well.