When the temperature plummets and it gets cold and frosty outside, you know that winter is here. Unfortunately, along with the festive atmosphere, significantly higher electricity and gas bills come too. You might be trying to keep yourself warmer with thicker clothing, cozy blankets, and hot drinks, but when it comes to keeping your house warm, it becomes a whole different story.

That's why you need to learn some ways to keep your home warm this winter without having to constantly raise the temperature in your home with the heater or thermostat. These tips don't cost a fortune yet they can greatly help in keeping you secure and maintaining your health.

Insulate Your Home

Insulation is a solution that gives the house protection while creating a pleasant indoor environment.

A simple way to describe insulation in the house is by making a comparison with the layer-on-layer method for us humans. When we are cold we put on a sweater to keep body heat, if we go out we also choose to put on a jacket that protects against external cold and cold winds. Insulation works similarly in houses. Instead of a sweater, fibers made from paper, glass, or stone are used and it’s the fibers that create a heat-retaining effect.

Another big advantage is that you cut down on energy costs. Heating houses can cost a lot of money, especially during winter when electricity is more expensive and houses require more energy. Therefore, insulation often becomes a smart investment that can save a lot of money in the long run. In addition, from an environmental sustainability perspective, it’s good to keep energy consumption down. If you're experiencing issues with your water heater, like a drop in hot water temperature, consider insulating the pipes coming to and from your water heater. Proper insulation can help maintain your water heater's efficiency and extend its lifespan. For reliable water heater repair San Jose services, contact a local professional.

Consider a Programmable Thermostat in Your AC Unit

The ideal thermostat temperature during cold winter days is 68 degrees Fahrenheit when you are at home. However, when you are asleep or away, you don’t have to maintain your living space at 68 degrees. A temperature control system allows you to set different temperatures for certain intervals of the day. Even though it’s not advised for programmable thermostats to be used with heat pumps, they are a very cost-effective solution for both heating and cooling systems.

If you want to use your money carefully, you can choose a lower setting while sleeping or when you’re not at home. Some devices can switch to four thermostat settings daily and each one has a switch or manual override.

A new thermostat isn’t difficult to install on your own but look for local professionals to ensure that the work is done right. For instance, if you live in a community like Trenton, Ontario, and you want to install a thermostat or a new AC unit, it is best to contact a reliable Trenton heating and air conditioning service provider to get high-quality maintenance and repairs so you’re better prepared for the winter ahead.

Insulate Pipelines

Washing your hands under cold water is obviously not a pleasant thing. This is why most houses have a water heater. A water heater is a large tank that heats and distributes water throughout your house. Without a water heater, your water would be as cold as or even colder than the outside temperature.

By insulating the pipes coming to and from your water heater, you can prevent condensation on the cold water pipes and you keep the heat inside the pipes on the hot water pipes, which not only increases the temperature, it also lowers the energy bills.

Use Carpets

If you want your home to be even more comfortable, you should always protect your feet from getting cold. Uninsulated floors can account for up to 10-20% of the heat loss in your home. Adding a carpet provides an extra layer of insulation that can help your home feel warmer and prevent bare floors from absorbing heat that they lose quickly.

To make things even better is that a carpet can help you get a much more beautiful and elegant décor and change the entire mood in the home. Carpets can help you decorate your home and make it more comfortable for everyone to enjoy the home during dark and chilly winters.

Check For Potential Cracks

If you have cracks in the floor, walls, or windows, you can be 100% sure that your home will be cold as the cracks let in the cold winter air. Fortunately, the holes in the floorboards can be filled with silicon and the windows are easily insulated with the help of a handyman.

In Closing

Although it may seem impossible to trap heat in your house during bitterly cold days, these fool-proof ways will help you feel comfortable and reduce your energy costs. You can also consult a heating expert to give you some tips on your best options.