Low Cost Strategies To Regulate Home Temperatures

Whether the house is excessively chilly or we just feel the cold much more than others, finding unique, low-cost methods to keep the home a little better insulated is always a plus. In addition to being simple enough for any homeowner to do, the tips below will not raise power costs, even when the temps outdoors plummet.

Get Your Heating Checked Over

The first thing to do if your home is cold – even if it’s just one room - is to learn more and get experts in to check over the heating system. It might just be that it needs a service (you should ideally arrange this every year), and that will ensure it starts working more efficiently. 

When a heating system is working as it should, it will use less fuel and be much more energy-efficient, saving money while keeping your house warm. As a bonus, this is good for the environment too. 

Use A Space Heater

Space heaters are an easy, quick, and extremely adaptable option to keep a home warm. Electric space heaters could be an energy-efficient solution when we’re only trying to heat a small area in poorly insulated dwellings or those without central heating.

Just keep in mind that not all space heaters are as good as the next. Before buying, do the homework. Preference should be given to models that have both a fan (to diffuse heat) and safety measures meant to limit fire threats, such as a sensor that detects when the device overheats and shuts it down immediately.

When selecting and utilizing a space heater, be sure to follow the guidelines of the US Department of Energy. For example, never use a space heater in a room that is too big or too small for it, and never power it with an extension cable. Finally, while not in use, always switch off the space heater and unplug it from the power source.

Use An Electric Blanket

People in the same household might have different opinions on whether or not the home is too hot or too chilly. Does this sound familiar to you? Electric blankets might be the perfect solution in this situation.

Electric blankets use minimal amounts of energy and allow everyone in the home to adjust their blanket to their favorite temperature regardless of the thermostat setting. Some blankets even have two settings for couples who can't agree on what constitutes comfort. Remember to unplug the blanket while not in use.

Update The Thermostat

A thermostat regulates the temperature of a house by connecting with the boiler. Thermostats can deteriorate over time, especially in older houses with outdated heating systems. Such deterioration might cause your boiler to take longer to start or your home to be heated at far greater temperatures than necessary. Upgrading the thermostat can result in significantly more precision in thermostat-to-boiler communication, minimizing energy waste and saving you money. 

Using a thermostat with a timer is a quick and straightforward way to manage heating properly. To guarantee the house is comfortable and toasty when you return home, modern thermostats can even be controlled from your smartphone.  

Rearrange The Furniture 

Use clever furniture placement while attempting to keep warm at home during the winter months. Check to see whether a couch or bed is obstructing the radiator since this might prevent the whole room from being heated.

Additionally, place frequently used pieces of furniture, such as a workstation, bed, or couch, near any heat sources without obstructing them to maximize access to warmth. If possible, keep them away from windows and doors where they might be exposed to drafts.

Layer The Rugs

Sealing floorboards is a good idea as it will prevent drafts, but it is a time-consuming job. If you don’t have the time to do it just now (although it should be on the to-do list at some point), then there is a quicker solution; use rugs.

By layering rugs, that is, having a number of them, we can avoid having to pick a single enormous pattern to cover a wider surface area, and the house will seem immediately warmer and cozier as a result. If there is carpeted flooring in your home, this will naturally help to increase insulation, but if it’s hard flooring, investing in high-quality materials, such as a plush rug, will help to prevent heat from escaping through the floor. Choose a thick rug, a wool rug, or a sheepskin choice over a thinner rug since they will provide more warmth.  

Hang Heavy Curtains 

In the same way that we swap out our summer bedding for flannel sheets and heavy duvets in the winter, we should swap out your window coverings. Replace light and airy materials with thicker curtains that help keep warm. On bright days, open curtains, blinds, and shades to take advantage of free solar heat. Lower blinds and shut the curtains after the sun has gone down to reduce heat loss. Just make sure the window coverings don't interfere with any radiators or floor vents. 

While installing new draperies, look for drafty spots around doors and windows. Weatherstripping may help doors and windows seal more firmly, preventing cold air from slowly escaping into the house. Any hardware shop should have self-adhesive rubber weatherstripping adhesive, which is affordable yet effective.

Don’t Have Bare Walls

Believe it or not, decorative wall hangings like mirrors and framed artwork may really help to insulate your home. As a general rule, this is especially true for exterior walls. Studies have shown that bookcases are particularly good in regulating the temperature of a space.

Therefore, it makes sense to add some kind of decoration to your bare walls. Not only will it make the home more interesting - and potentially tidier - but it will keeping it warmer too.