It’s the holidays, and that means it’s time to cozy up with a cup of cocoa and a good book! The holidays are the perfect time to enjoy the company of loved ones, and warm home is essential for that enjoyment.
This is the time of year when it’s important to keep your home warm and inviting—not just for yourself but for your loved ones as well.
But what if you can’t afford to heat your home? How can you make sure everyone in your family is warm and cozy this holiday season?
This article is going to walk you through everything you need to know about how to keep home warm in winter. We’ll cover everything from keeping your thermostat at a reasonable temperature all the way up to what kind of heating system might work best for your home.
Whether you want a simple solution that will keep your home warm without costing too much money or something more complex that can easily handle extreme weather conditions, there are options out there for everyone—and we’ll cover them all!
What to Prepare for this Holiday?
As the winter season approaches, it’s time to start thinking about how you’ll be keeping warm.
While most of us think about the fireplace or a space heater, there are other ways to keep your house cozy and comfy.
Here are some tips on how to keep home warm without heating!
Insulate windows and doors.
A lot of heat escapes through your windows and doors. To prevent that, consider adding insulation to your walls or installing storm windows or curtains. You can also use draft stoppers in the cracks around the doors or windows.
Use a space heater.
Don’t rely on a whole-house heating system if you’ll be out of the house for long periods. Instead, use space heaters in rooms where you’ll spend most of your time during the day (like the kitchen). It can also be used if you are wondering, “How to keep a mobile home warm in the winter?” If you do decide to use a whole-house heating system, turn down the thermostat when you’re away from home so that it doesn’t run constantly while no one’s there!
Use draft stoppers.
Draft stoppers are little pieces of plastic that fit into the space between window panes, preventing cold air from blowing through them as it comes in through the frames. Draft stoppers can be purchased at any hardware store, but if you want to save money on this project, consider using an old sock instead! Just cut off the toe end and pull it over the bottom of your door or window frame until it fits snugly against the frame. It will create a tight seal between the outside and inside air, keeping cold drafts and warm air in.
Install weatherstripping.
Weatherstripping is a simple and effective way to keep heat inside your home. It’s easy to install and costs less than $10 per foot of a door or window. You can buy it from hardware stores or online retailers like Amazon.
Use thermal curtains or heavy drapes.
Thermal curtains are made of material that helps insulate your windows, keeping them warmer for longer periods of time throughout the day. Heavy drapes also help insulate windows by reducing the amount of light coming through them. The more light that comes in through your windows, the more heat you lose through them—so if you want to save some money on heating costs this winter, consider replacing old curtains with new ones made from heavier fabrics like cotton canvas or wool fabric (which will be more expensive than polyester-based fabrics).
Reverse ceiling fans.
Reverse ceiling fans are designed to push air down instead of pushing air up. In the summer, they’re great at cooling down a room. But in the winter, they can actually help retain heat by creating a pocket of hot air near the ceiling where your body will feel warmer. It’s a win-win!
Upgrade insulation.
Insulation helps keep heat from escaping through your walls, floors, and ceilings. If you don’t have enough insulation in your home (or if your current insulation is outdated), then it’ll be harder for your furnace or other heating system to keep up with this winter’s frigid temperatures. Upgrading your insulation will make sure that doesn’t happen!
Seal cracks and gaps in your walls and floors.
Cracks in walls or gaps around pipes and electrical outlets can let cold air into your home through those spaces, so make sure they’re sealed off with caulk or weatherstripping tape.
Keep the thermostat consistent.
Set your home’s thermostat to 60 degrees Fahrenheit (or higher if you live in an area with really high heating costs), and leave it there! This will help keep your home warm without having to adjust the temperature throughout the day or week.
Let the sunlight in.
The warmth of the sun is a great way to keep your house warm during the day. The more sunlight you let in, the more heat will be generated. Keep curtains open when possible, and take advantage of windows to let in as much natural light as possible.
Make use of blankets and throws.
Blankets are an easy way to add extra warmth to any room. Use them on sofas, chairs, or even over windows to block out cold air (make sure they’re not too heavy, or they’ll restrict airflow). Throws can also add comfort and style by adding color accents to any space.
Insulate your water heater.
Another step to keeping your home warm is insulating your water heater. Water heaters are one of the biggest energy drains in a home, and they can account for a minimum of 40% of the energy used in some homes each year. That’s because they’re always running, even when no one’s in the house! Insulating yours will help keep heat from escaping out of it and into the air around it, so make sure you have enough insulation around its sides and top (or bottom). You can also add insulation inside if necessary by stuffing fiberglass batts into any space without insulation—some models have holes in their tanks that allow for this.
Upgrade to a programmable thermostat.
This will allow you to set the temperature on your thermostat lower when you’re gone for the day or early in the morning before anyone gets up and higher when everyone’s awake and active in the house throughout the day. This way, you won’t have to waste energy heating or cooling rooms that aren’t being used at any given time of day.
Install radiant barrier insulation on your roof or walls.
Most people think of insulation as providing warmth by trapping warm air inside their homes, but radiant barrier insulation works in reverse: it prevents heat loss by reflecting heat into your home from the outside of its walls or roof. This means that even if it’s extremely cold outside, the temperature inside will remain relatively unchanged (or even slightly warmer!).
Consider using a humidifier.
Humidifiers are great because they add moisture to the air and prevent your airways from drying out. They’re also good for your skin—if you have dry skin, try utilizing a humidifier at night when you sleep!
Use door snakes.
If you live in a cold climate, you know how important it is to seal your home as tightly as possible during winter. Door snakes are an easy way to do this without having to worry as much about drafts or having a lot of extra blankets around. You can get them at any hardware store or online!
Change your furnace filter.
Make sure to change your furnace filter at least once every three months. This will improve the cleanliness of the air you breathe and keep allergens from collecting in your system. It will also help prevent dust from getting into your heating system, which can cause problems like clogged vents and decreased efficiency over time.
Repurpose heat from your oven.
If you’re baking anything, consider using a thermometer to check on its temperature periodically throughout the cooking process, then turn off the oven before it’s finished cooking so that you’re not wasting energy on extra heat that won’t be used anyway. If you have an electric stove top instead (like me!), place an empty pan with water in it on top of one of the burners when you’re done cooking—this will help capture some of the residual heat and keep it circulating throughout your kitchen instead of going straight up into outer space like it would if left alone (or worse yet: wasted).
Maintain your furnace.
Furnaces often break down or malfunction during the coldest months of the year. While it can be tempting to try and save some money by putting off repairs, this can lead to inflated energy bills and even worse problems down the road. If you notice that your furnace isn’t working as well as usual or seems to be making strange noises, have a furnace professional in Santa Fe come out and take a look at it as soon as possible—it may just need some maintenance!
Get a home energy audit.
If you’re looking for ways to reduce your energy usage without sacrificing comfort, consider getting an audit done on your home. This will allow an expert technician to come in and analyze how much energy different appliances and systems use, giving them an idea of where they can cut back on usage without hurting functionality. Audits also help identify any major issues that might need to be addressed immediately in order to prevent further damage later down the road!
Utilize the fireplace.
Fireplaces are a great way to add heat to your home without turning up the thermostat. Fireplaces also make for great ambiance and can help create an inviting atmosphere for entertaining friends and family during the colder months. Don’t forget to properly maintain your fireplace as part of any winter maintenance plan!
Close the vents in rooms you don’t use.
If you live in a place where it gets really cold, it might seem like an obvious step—but it’s easy to forget if you have more than one room. Close the vents in any rooms that aren’t being used so they don’t lose heat through them. Closing them will help retain heat in other parts of your home, so it’s best to close them when they’re not in use.
Trust James Plumbing & Heating For All Your Furnace Needs in Santa Fe!
At James Plumbing & Heating, we know you have a lot on your plate. You don’t have time to worry about whether or not your furnace is working properly—or if it’s even going to last another season.
We’re here to help.
We have been providing Santa Fe residents with top-of-the-line furnace services for over 30 years. We offer a wide range of services, including:
- Furnace installation
- Furnace repair and replacement
- Furnace maintenance
- Air conditioning repair and maintenance
- Heating system repair and replacement
Our furnace technicians have years of experience in the industry and have worked on all kinds of furnaces. They also have access to state-of-the-art tools and technology that help them diagnose problems quickly so they can get your system fixed as soon as possible.
We also know that sometimes things happen unexpectedly, which is why we have emergency services available. But don’t worry—if there’s no emergency in your area when you call us up (or if we’re already on our way), we’ll still come out to see what’s going on with your equipment and give you an estimate on any repairs or replacements needed!
So, if you are looking for a local plumbing company for Plumbing Solutions and Services During the Holidays in Santa Fe, call us at 505-473-7148!