Coldwell Banker Realty - Newburyport
Coldwell Banker Realty - Newburyport
Kim Weeks, Coldwell Banker Realty - NewburyportPhone: (978) 265-2519
Email: [email protected]

Save Energy & Stay Warm With These Simple Cold Weather Tips

by Kim Weeks 09/19/2021

For most homeowners, lower temperatures outside mean a spike in utility bill costs. Gas and electric bills can skyrocket with extra use from HVAC systems and hot water consumption in order to stay comfortable. This can be especially problematic for homes with subpar insulation. Whether you live in a drafty house or you just want to save some money on your heating bills, here are some simple tips to help warm up your home.

Close the Flue

If you have a fireplace, it may tempt you to build a cozy fire every night in the winter months. While a fireplace will heat a den or living room, it will also let a lot of that hot air escape through the open flue. Close up the flue when you’re not using your fireplace and you’ll prevent losing valuable energy and warmth.

Adjust Furniture Positioning

In homes without central heating, baseboard heaters and vents in the wall and floor are the primary source of heat. Make sure you are not blocking these vents with furniture and other items. This helps prevent potential fire hazards but also lets the warm air circulate into the rest of the room. For baseboards, scoot your furnishings a few inches away from them to allow better flow of warmth.

Hang Thermal Drapes

Even well-insulated windows can make a room chilly in the winter. Consider investing in a set of heavy insulating drapes for the biggest windows in your home in order to trap the warm air inside. Conveniently, you can also use insulated drapes to keep the home cooler in the hotter seasons.

Make a DIY Door Snake

Drafty doorways in older homes can leak a noticeable amount of warm air outside. However, insulating your inside doors will also help keep you warmer. You can make what’s called a “door snake” to lay across the bottom edge of interior doors and keep air from passing underneath. The easiest way to make a door snake is to fill a long tube of fabric with rice, beans or synthetic insulation material and press it against the bottom of the door. No more cold drafts from the basement or garage.

Get to Cooking and Baking

Using the oven will warm up the home while you cook or bake. While you’re making your favorite lasagna or a batch of cookies, you’ll warm up your kitchen and fill the home with delicious scents at the same time. Once you’re finished using the oven and turn it off, you can open the door to let the leftover heat filter out into the kitchen. This strategy is best for homes without pets or young children, as a cooling oven can still pose a serious threat of accidental burns.

No matter the style or age of your home, saving energy is always a good idea. Try these ideas for keeping your home warmer on the coldest of days and save money on your utilities at the same time.

About the Author
Author

Kim Weeks

Kim Weeks, Realtor® Providing you with full-time professional service since 1995 With over 24 years of providing professional real estate services, Kim Weeks is your go-to gal for both your buying and selling needs. Kim is a native to the Newburyport area and loves introducing her clients to the beautiful homes set along the picturesque Merrimack River. Kim enjoys her career as a Realtor, and while her raving clients will tell you her laughter...