Winter is oftentimes seen as this wondrous time of the year, where everyone can cozy up at home with a hot beverage. But homeowners may find it to be quite a costly season as the need to have or invest in modern heating systems and equipment, or home insulation installation becomes apparent in order to stay warm and comfortable at home. Luckily, there are more low-tech, affordable, and effective alternatives to keeping warm this winter:
Fireplace
A fireplace is a traditional or classic way of keeping your house warm during winter. Not only does it help warm up your house, but it can also serve as a decorative feature for your Utah home. These can come in all styles and can fit most home layouts and designs, and can be powered by wood burning, pellet burning, gas, or electricity and won’t cost as much to run and install than home heating systems.
Chimney Balloons
Unused or decorative fireplaces can actually contribute to lowering your home’s temperature. Cold air can enter and heat can be lost through your chimney, which is why it’s best to install a chimney balloon. As the name suggests, it’s a durable balloon that blocks your chimney. This affordable accessory can help keep cold air out and warm air in, and also keeps any animals, insects, or debris from falling or entering through your chimney and into your fireplace. Alternatively, you can simply seal off your unused fireplace with wood and sealants to prevent warm air from escaping and cold air from entering through the chimney.
Window Coverings
Thick and heavy drapes (or even blankets) on your window can prevent heat loss. There are cheap curtains with a thermal lining that you can purchase in your local home appliance or department stores that can effectively insulate your home. However, make sure that you open your drapes or curtains during the day to let sunlight and heat into your home, and then cover the windows by sundown to retain the heat.
Watch Out for Droughts and Drafts
Check your doors, letterboxes, pet flaps, and windows for any cold wind or drafts that might be seeping into your home. Putting a rug or old blanket at the base of your main door can prevent cold air from going in. And it’s also important to seal any cracks on your windowsill and frame where a draft can get in. Bottom line is that you seal your home from cold air.
Cover Your Bare Floors
Solid bare floors can contribute significantly to heat loss by as much as 10%. So if you have any carpets, rugs, and blankets lying around, be sure to cover your floorboards with them to act as an insulator. Not only do they help keep your house warm, but they also keep your feet warm and are much more comfortable to walk on.
Tin Foils
It may sound too DIY or weird, but tin foils are actually quite effective. Putting tin foil behind radiators can prevent heat loss and can reflect/redirect the heat to your home instead of having the wall absorb all the heat.
Conclusion
Keeping your house warm during winter can be expensive but, with all these affordable low-tech alternatives, it doesn’t have to be. Whichever methods you choose, just make sure that you do it safely.
