The time has come to prepare yourself for the shivery weather of the winter. The utility bills will take a surge to keep the temperature inside warm. The internet is full ideas where new energy-efficient appliances are recommended to keep the electricity consumption low. However, some of us are already on a tight budget that makes it impossible to spend more money to save some.
Here we have mentioned some tips to keep yourself warm this winter with zero to little spending.
- Use Winter Fabrics
Instead of using the sweaters and sweatshirts for outside only, start wearing them inside the house as well. You are keeping yourself warm without the use of any electrical equipment. Therefore, the temperature inside can be kept a little cooler to save money on utility bills.
Cover the floors with rugs to eliminate the loss of heat through it. Place some runners or non-skid pads inside the rugs to prevent them from sliding. You should still wear socks while moving around the house.
- Cover the Doors and Windows
A vast amount of heat is lost through the doors and windows that are kept close throughout the season. You can cover them temporarily with plastic to prevent loss of heat. You will find some fantastic deals on these covers from sellers online.
Blankets are an excellent alternative to these plastic covers if you don’t want to spend money on insulation. However, the light and views will no longer be available if the windows are covered with blankets.
- Turn Down the Heat Occasionally
The temperature control should be kept at normal when there is no one at home. Make sure the set temperature is enough to keep the water pipes and other stuff warm. Even a few degrees can save you a considerable amount of money at the end of winters. There are plenty of smart appliances available in the market that allows you to set time to turn down the heat automatically.
- Bleed the Radiators
It is quite common for radiators to trap air inside them. It prevents them from working efficiently because the hot water is no longer circulating correctly. Now, there are cold spots in the radiator. The solution here is to bleed the radiator. You can learn it within a few minutes, and the whole process will not take much of your time.
- Use the Space Heater Carefully
Make sure the space heater is not close to anything that catches fire quickly. Use it only in the room where you are staying. Do not keep it running while you are sleeping or not at home.
The surface where you are placing the space heater should be stable and flat. Do not buy these appliances if they are not safety-certified. Check the wall outlet, cord, or plug for abnormal temperature while running the heater.
- Fill Cracks and Holes
Even the most insignificant cracks and holes in your house lose a considerable amount of heat. You can use silicone to fix cracks in windows, doors, and similar openings. The cracks along the basement walls and floor should also be checked and filled.
You need to insulate the holes in light switches, electric outlets, and walls to prevent heat loss. Plug any hole you find in your house that can cause heat to escape. Buy an expanding spray foam for the space between the sheetrock and metal outlet box.
- Close Vents
It is not wise to completely close the heat vents in the unoccupied rooms. The excess air pressure can cause damage to the HVAC system. The system will now work harder, and the parts will burn out quicker.
Therefore, it is always recommended to keep the vents partially open. It will allow the air circulation, preventing any damage to the heat pump system. Also, close the doors of unused rooms partially for the same purpose.
- Try Weather Stripping
Weatherstripping is a cost-effective solution to seal the doors and windows during the winters. Make sure the product you buy suits your requirement. Seal the sides, bottom, and top of the windows and door with the self-adhesive stripping.
You can also try door sweeps for the bottom of the outside doors. The amount of heat being lost through the cracks will be limited to a great extent with these door sweeps.
- Check the Boiler
An energy-efficient boiler can save you hundreds of pounds every year. Replace it if the current one is too old or inefficient. You can apply for an instalment loan with bad credit from direct lenders to pay for the boiler and other energy-efficient appliances.
Look for options online and offline before settling down for one. It will cost you considerably less than the boiler offered by your energy provider.
- Use Old-School Hacks
There are numerous old-school hacks you need to learn to make the best use of already installed appliances. Start with the ceiling fan. Run it on the lowest setting and make sure the blades are rotating clockwise.
The oven door should be left open to use its heat to warm the kitchen. There is enough heat in it to give the furnace rest for a little bit of time.
To sum up, you don’t always have to spend money to save it. These tips are few of many you can use to keep yourself warm this winter season while saving a ton of money. Apart from the utility bills, you are consuming less energy to protect the environment as well.
