Saving Energy: How To Stay Warm Without A Heater
If you’re searching for “How to stay warm without a heater” the power is out or you’re just looking for a way to save on your monthly energy during the winter.
Whether you are low on money, a college student, or frugal, if you are staying in a cold home, then you understand that isn’t best for your health. Luckily, there are some great ways to keep you warm even though you don’t have a heater and in the process you may just improve the efficiency of your home.
Heating your home without using a heater
1. Close all the windows in your home properly. This does include ensuring that your storm windows have been installed and closed in place, if you have them. Windows need to be latched. Only open them during the day, if the temperature outside is higher than what it is in your home.
You will want to keep the windows air tight. You may even want to purchase removable plastic or window caulk to keep them sealed better. At a minimum, stuff a shirt or towel in front of any leaks.
2. Use clear, cheap shower curtains over windows that get sunlight. This will keep the cold air out and the warmth of the sun will help to heat your home without the cold air coming in. You can also use clear plastic sheets to cover the windows.
3. Put up Curtains. Using a set of heavy curtains may block the heavy drafts of air. Only open them when the sun is shining and be sure to close them when it is not.
4. Seal the Doors.Check the door frame and under the door. You could use a door sweep or weather stripping. Again, at the minimum, you can stuff a towel in the door’s bottom.
5. Let as much sun hit your house as possible. Check for any obstructions such as sheds or plants that may keep the rays of the sun from reaching your house. Remove any items that are leaning against the walls on the sunny side of your home. Be sure to put them back again at night to help with additional insulation.
6. Close off unused rooms. The closed door makes the room a barrier between you and the cold outdoors. It will also stop the air from circulating around as much, which reduces the loss of heat. There are home improvement stores that will sell register covers that are magnetic that will shut off the registers in the unused rooms. So, when you do use a heater, it will only register in the rooms that you use and will pump the heat out there. This makes it more efficient use of your heater.
Be sure to check that your heat registers are open, especially where the plumbing pipes may freeze. Unblock any cold air returns in the heated rooms, they could be blocked with a rug or furniture, so that heat may be circulated efficiently.
7. Put down a carpet or Rug. Carpets and rugs help to prevent heat loss through the floor. They are normally warmer to touch than stone or wood, and they also offer a warmer surface to walk on.
8. Add insulation to the crawl space and attic. A whole lot of air actually goes through the roof of the attic, simply because cold air sinks and warm air rises. You want to make sure that your attic has plenty of insulation. Click here for: Phoenix Valley insulation contractor services.
9. Start a warm fire. If you happen to have a fire place, then you can heat your home by having a fire. If you don’t have a fireplace, you may want to consider installing one. Be sure to always supervise the fire when it is lit.
10. Cook. Cooking can help you to stay warm as it is an activity, and through the warmth of the oven and eating something warm and tasty after.
Bake pies or cookies. The over will help to dry the air and heat up the house a bit. Only leave your oven on for about 20 minutes so that you don’t waste energy.
You will want to limit any cooking that causes any steam, as this actually increases the humidity that is in the air which will make the house damp. Lowering the humidity in winter will help you to feel warmer. Water vapor or humidity will have the ability to absorb heat instead of dry air. So, the result is that humid air will feel quite cold in winter than dry air which means that it will take more heat to make damp air even feel comfortable.
11. Light candles. A single candle or multiple candles is able to produce a bunch of heat, be aware of where they happen to be placed and don’t leave them unattended. Going to a discount store or grocery store can provide you with plenty of candles for cheap. Use a candle heater. It won’t create as much heat as a real heater or fireplace, but it will create some warmth for cheap.
12. Turn on some lights. A regular incandescent light bulb will release up to 95% energy as a heat instead of light, which make it really efficient heat source.
LED lights and compact fluorescent lights aren’t helpful when it comes to warming a room, so save those for warmer days and use the money that you saved to pay your heating bill.
Staying Warm in a Colder House
1. Drink Warm beverages. A warm beverage will raise the core temperature of your body. This process can be relaxing as well as stimulating. Make yourself a cup of coffee or tea. Sip on warm broth.
2. Dress Warmly. A lot of people will state that you release most of your body heat from your head, but despite this common belief, you actually release heat equally throughout the body. Either way, a hat is a great friend in times like this. A onesie, or turtleneck sweater are also wonder workers. Dress yourself in layers, especially in cotton or wool clothing. Wear warm socks or slippers. Whenever you are sitting still, wrap yourself in a pure wool, thick blanket. You may even want to purchase thermal shirts to wear under a sweater, which makes for a really comfortable shirt which provides a lot of warmth.
If you are getting cold legs, purchase the 2 pack of tights from the local store. You want to make sure that they are opaque. Wear one or even multiple pairs over each other and place them under clothes. This provides your body with another layer of clothing that will trap warm air inside. Men may use thermal long-johns instead of tights or stockings.
3. Use smaller rooms. If you happen to have a bedroom that is much smaller than your regular living room, then you can choose to use your bedroom as a bedroom and sitting room.
4. Exercise. Just 20 minutes of vigorous exercise can actually warm you up and keep you warm for a while after you are done. Not to mention that a healthy body is more tolerant to the cold.
Be active. Moving around will produce body heat. The more active that you are, the better circulation of your blood. This means that your warm blood will get to your toes and fingers and keeps them warm.
5. Find a pet or friend to snuggle with. The living body of any one is a furnace. Snuggle with your friend or your pet to keep each other warm.
6. Use a hair Dryer. Quickly heat parts of your body or use it to warm up your cold clothes or shoes before you put them on. You may even use it to warm your bed before you get in it. Never cover the hair dryer as it could overheat and cause a fire.
7. Sit on heating pads. Rather than just heating your whole room or house, use a heating pad. You may even make a heating pad:
Use a hot water bottle which is great for warming your lap and hands when sitting. You can also place hot water bottles at the end of the bed under the covers to warm up sheets.
Microwave your socks or small homemade heat packs that are filled with dried corn, beans, or rice for a minute in the microwave and use them as a bed warmer or heating pad.
8. Buy a thick dressing gown or bathrobe. Think of it a huge fluffy blanket that has sleeves. They are comfortable and warm and you can even sleep in them.
9. Go vacationing or visiting. Purposefully spend time in locations that are heated at no cost to you such as the church, library, or a friend’s house, etc.
10. Consider using an electric blanket. Electric blankets can keep your comfortable and warm in the night and it is much more economical than using an expensive and inefficient wall heater. Over the knee versions for sitting are also available and normally they are covered with a fluffy, warm and nice fabric.
11. Purchase a sleeping bag. You don’t have to camp to be able to use a sleeping bag. A sleeping bag will be able to warm you while you are at home. Place your sleeping bag on the bed to keep your insulated and warm all night.
Preventative Measures
1. Consider how you got into this position. If you are dealing with a cold house because of an energy blackout, then the above tips can help you to get through this short term emergency. However, if you are living with a nonworking heater because you are low on funds to pay for heat repairs, then you will need to begin saving money for this type of emergency. Put money back so that you can get through all and any emergencies as they come up. Don’t leave yourself in the cold.
2. If you are unable to afford to heat your home, contact energy suppliers. They may be able to work with you to find a payment plan that you can afford. Additionally, you may also be eligible for federal assistance to help pay off your heating bill.
Phoenix Valley Insulation Contractors
If you’re interested in saving energy during the cold months and all year long Barrier Insulation can help! Our team can help you evaluate what insulation you have and what needs to be done to make your home energy efficient. With ever rising utility costs the importance of insulation has never been higher. Quality insulation which is installed by professionals will help you save money year in and year out. If you’d like to find out what we can do to help you stay warm in winter and cool in summer, please give us a call at 602-499-2922.