The Different Ways to Heat Your Home this Winter
Winter is here, and if you're like us, you've already started to think about how you're going to keep your home warm this season. You may have heard that heating your home is the most expensive part of winter, but it doesn't have to be! Here are some inexpensive ways to keep your home warm while still saving money:
Get a Space Heater
Space heaters are the most basic form of heating, but they are effective for a variety of different purposes. The good thing about space heaters is that you don't have to worry about using them in the same way as other types of heating methods like central air or window units. Space heaters are used for a whole room or just a small area, making it easy to customize your home's temperature.
Space heaters are also safe to use because they don't need electricity or fuel like other sources of heat do. All you need is an outlet! Space heaters are also inexpensive. Most models cost less than $1 per hour when running at full capacity. Additionally, many models come with multiple settings so that users choose how much energy they want their appliances to consume. Finally, since space heater cords typically plug directly into an electrical outlet without any extension cords required (they're usually plugged into a wall socket), there isn't much clutter involved either - which means no tripping hazards!
Keep Your Fireplace Going
One of the best ways to heat your home this winter is by keeping your fireplace going. Here's how:
Keep the fireplace clean and clear of debris.
Make sure the damper is closed when you're not using it.
Use a fireplace screen if you have pets or small children around.
Make sure that the chimney flue is connected properly so that smoke is vented outside of your house safely, and that there aren't any cracks in it that could allow smoke back into the house (or carbon monoxide poisoning). This prevents dangerous fires as well as saves on heating costs.
Not only does keeping your fireplace going during the winter keep you warm, but also it creates a welcoming and cozy environment in your home!
Winterize Your Home
There are several ways to keep your home warm during the winter. This is achieved through a variety of methods, including insulation, storm windows, and doors, checking for leaks, and using a programmable thermostat.
Turn Up the Heat a Bit
Getting your thermostat to the right setting in the winter is sometimes tricky. If you're feeling chilly, but your thermostat is set to the right temperature, try this easy fix:
Turn up the heat a bit at a time! It can be tempting to crank up your thermostat when you feel cold. However, if it's already on its highest setting and still not warm enough for you, that's an indication that something else might need to change in your home. For example, maybe there are drafts coming from under doors or windows where they meet walls or floors. Alternatively, maybe certain areas of your house aren't getting sufficient heating because there's furniture blocking them off from radiating heat sources like radiators.
Get a Smart Thermostat
A smart thermostat is a great way to automate your heating system. You control it from anywhere using your phone, so if you're at work and forget to turn the heat down before leaving in the morning, no problem! A smart thermostat will do it for you. It also allows you to turn up the heat when it's cold outside and turn it down when it's warm outside—saving money by only heating or cooling when necessary. Better yet, some models even have sensors that detect sunlight (or lack thereof) so it knows whether or not it should be turning on at all.
Keeping your home warm in the winter doesn't have to be expensive or difficult.
There are many ways to heat your home this winter. The most effective and cost-friendly ways include space heaters, fireplaces, and winterizing your home. Space heaters are cheap and effective, fireplaces are a low-cost way to heat your home, and winterizing your home helps it stay warm. Smart thermostats also save you money on heating costs.
It’s important that you have options when it comes time to make the decision on how to keep your home warm. If you have questions or need advice on how to heat your home this winter, contact our team at Oriole Home & Design. Our team of professionals helps you decide which heating options are best for your home!