Winter is a magical time of the year, it’s a time for holidays, picturesque scenery, gatherings with friends and family; it is quite a fairy tale. There is nothing more wonderful than walking into your very own castle and getting enveloped by warm air as you peel off the layers of clothing you’re wearing.
In this blog, we'll tell you the best ways to keep your house warm in the winter. Read on!
Why Your House Won’t Stay Warm When It’s Cold
It’s hard to get that perfect warmth to linger throughout the house no matter how much you heat. Let’s look at ways we can trap the heat in.
Heat Always Looks For A Way Out
There is a remarkable relationship between hot and cold where they are always chasing each other around. It is a scientific fact that temperature always seeks an equilibrium between hot and cold. Therefore, most modern houses are insulated to keep hot air in. This is also why when we turn the heater on, we close the windows so that hot air won’t escape.
Hot Air Floats
It is another scientific fact that air expands when heated, and because there is more space, the further you go up, the hotter it is. This concept is used in hot air balloons to power these crafts. The warmer, less dense air will always float to the surface above the air below it. This can also be seen in your home; your upper floors will always be hotter than the basement.
Mediocre Insulation
As mentioned above, heat naturally flows from warmer areas to cooler ones, insulation prevents that airflow. It prevents the intended heat or cool air from escaping through ceilings and walls. This means that if the insulation is lacking, a home will never sustain a desired temperature throughout the house, for pockets of air will always find a way in and out.
How To Keep Your House Warm In Winter: 13 Tips
How to make a house warmer in winter? There are many steps you can take to keep you and your family warm this winter.
#1 Seal And Insulate Your Attic
Hot air will always float towards the attic and look for an escape path, therefore, attic insulation is a must. Air sealing prevents hot air from leaking into the attic, insulation without air sealing is useless for it won’t stop the airflow.
#2 Invest In A Programmable Thermostat
Programmable thermostats are truly an investment for the future and one of the best ways to keep the house warm during winter. They allow you to program your settings, adjust your temperature according to house occupancy; in other words, saving you a lot of money in the long run. They are also convenient and user-friendly. This winter, your programmable thermostat will become your new best friend.
#3 Invest In Blinds And Other Window Coverings
Blinds are not merely decorations that add an extra layer of coziness to your home or are used for privacy. They are a barrier, an extra layer of insulation keeping a house warm in the winter. Investing in good blinds will prevent the heat from escaping through the windows.
#4 Add A Layer Of Film To Your Windows
Window film is an invisible protective layer that can be installed on every type of window. This will further insulate your house and keep the hot air from escaping during the winter months. Window film is not 100% fail-proof but added to a good set of blinds or curtains, and it will reduce the loss of heat in a big way.
#5 Reduce The Use Of Fireplaces
It seems like a crazy suggestion, but a fireplace was never intended to be used as an actual heater, and therefore, it is the least efficient way to attempt to heat your home. In some cases, it can make your house colder, and it isn’t the friendliest solution for the environment either. In addition, fireplaces are also a fire hazard which makes it even more of an unappealing solution.
#6 Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans are popular in the summer to cool our homes, but they can effectively help the heat in the winter to increase within the home. Simply find the switch on your fan that changes the direction of the blades from counterclockwise to clockwise and let it spin on the lowest setting. This can be a helpful tool that will cost you nothing.
#7 Don’t Obstruct Vents And Radiators
This is a very avoidable mishap; it can be costly to have a certain chair or dresser preventing the vents or radiators from heating the rooms properly. Ensure that all radiators, vents, and registers are clear from any items of furniture or carpeting.
#8 Keep Doors Closed
It is highly effective to keep the doors of each room closed to avoid giving the heat a way to escape. It is also recommended to purchase door snakes to prevent the heat from running out from the crack under the doors. It is also possible to create DIY door snakes.
#9 Add Additional Doors
Everyone enjoys the wide open, but wide-open spaces at home can cost you more money in the winter. As we mentioned before, heat always looks to reunite with cold air, so it is highly recommended that, where possible, doors be added to ensure the heat stays inside each specific room.
#10 Keep Your Furnace Filters Clean
One of the best ways to keep a house warm in winter is to routinely change your furnace filter for the gunk that attaches to these filters can prevent them from being as effective as they could be. It can also be a good idea that if your furnace needs to be replaced, you consider a furnace with reusable filters that can be kept cleaner regularly.
#11 Lower Your Water Heater Temperature
This boils down to a question of conserving energy. This is a rule of thumb not just for the winter months but throughout the year. You can save a lot of money by taking more showers and fewer baths, therefore, reducing the need for excessive hot water.
#12 Avoid Turning On/Off The Heat
When a heating system is turned off and then turned back on, the energy wasted to start it up again will cost you a pretty penny. It is recommended to avoid adjusting the thermostat frequently. When using a programmable or smart thermostat, make sure to adjust the settings so that temperature adjustments are subtle.
#13 Thick Curtains
As previously mentioned, blinds and window coverings are not just there to decorate your home, and the same can be said for curtains, they are great tips to keep your house warm in winter. It is wise to invest in great-looking and thick curtains; use these curtains in the winter to prevent the heat from escaping through the windows.
Conclusion
Your home is your castle, and you want to make sure it is welcoming to you, your friends, and your family all winter long. Find out more items that can help you turn your house into a cozy home. There is no better feeling than staying warm this winter and saving money.
Learn more Blackhawk Supply products here!
