13 Home Hacks to Slay Energy Bills This Winter
It can be hard to keep your home warm during winter in Idaho. Turning the heating up is not always an option, especially if you’re trying to avoid paying higher energy bills, so that’s why we’ve put together these home hacks to help keep you warm without just relying on the heating.
Remember that if your home is feeling cold or your heating isn’t doing the job, it could be a problem with your system. In this case, give us a call for a free consultation.
1. Draft Guards
Put one of these bad boys under any doors that don’t get a proper seal between the door and the floor. You can pick up a draft guard for less than $10 or just use an old towel- they will go a long way to keeping out the cold over winter.
2. Insulation
Insulation will not only help you keep warm in winter, but it will also keep you cool in the summer, so it is a very worthwhile investment. You can find out more about insulation here, but if you find yourself constantly cold when the heating’s not on, this may do the trick.
3. Fix Leaks
Caulk gun at the ready. If you’ve got any cracks between window or door frames, get them sealed up. They can make even the warmest rooms feel drafty so fixing leaks is an incredible hack to make your home feel cozy again.
4. Coco-o-Clock
Fix up your family a nice cup of hot chocolate (or whichever warm beverage takes your fancy!) to warm yourself up from the inside out. Add whipped cream and marshmallows for a special treat.
5. Cookin’ Up Something Good?
Why not use your oven to cook up some tasty treats to go with your hot chocolate? It’s a crowd pleaser, and when you’re finished, you can leave the oven door open to take advantage of the residual heat to help keep your home nice-n-cozy.
6. Foil-Backed Radiators
We promise this isn’t some tin-hat conspiracy. Putting tin foil behind your radiators will reflect some of the heat back into your room instead of your walls helping your heating go further.
7. Rugs
Rugs help to make your home look and feel cozy. They don’t just feel great, but they add an extra layer of insulation, so grab that old one out the attic or hit up a thrift store for some shabby chic insulation.
8. Block Up Your Fireplace Flue
Just when you’re not using it! You can lose 20% of your home's heat through leaks in the fireplace damper. So plug it up when you’re not using it. You can buy one or just stuff balled-up paper there for a tight fit.
9. Here Comes the Sun or Not…
Throw open the curtains on a sunny day. Take advantage of that free heating, and vice versa - when it’s cold or at night, close your blinds to keep the cold out.
10. Stay Hydrated
Keeping hydrated will help you move heat to your extremities, like hands and feet, so it's essential to ensure you drink plenty of water in the winter months.
11. Plastic Wrap Old Windows
Christmas might’ve come and gone, but that doesn’t mean you have to stop wrapping. If there are windows you’re not using or are particularly bad at blocking the heat like north-facing or single-pane windows- then consider wrapping them in plastic or bubble wrap for extra insulation during the cold months.
12. Heavyweight Curtains
The champion of the fight against the cold. Your curtains provide an extra layer of protection against the cold, particularly when the temperature drops at night.
13. Don’t Duck out of Ductwork
Leaky ducts can add 30% a year to your energy bill so go on a duct hunt now. You can use a lit incense stick to search for leaks and seal those up with insulation tape for a DIY fix.
Even with these tips, we know it's not easy to keep warm in winter. Particularly with the cost of living going up. That’s why we help cover one family’s energy bills every winter and offer priority service to vulnerable people like the elderly or young families. If your heating system isn’t working properly, give us a call, and we can give you a free quote.