As the winter season is well and truly underway, it's natural for energy consumption to rise, but that doesn't mean you have to sacrifice your comfort or budget.
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Insulate your home: Proper insulation, especially in the ceiling and walls, helps retain heat and reduces the need for excessive heating. Consider adding insulation if your home is not already adequately insulated.
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Seal drafts: Identify and seal any drafts around windows, doors, and floors. Use weather-stripping or draft stoppers to prevent cold air from entering and warm air from escaping.
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Use curtains and blinds effectively: Keep curtains and blinds closed at night to prevent heat loss and open them during the day to let in natural sunlight, which can help warm up your home.
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Layer up and use blankets: Wear warm clothing layers and cozy up with blankets while indoors. This allows you to lower the thermostat and still maintain a comfortable temperature.
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Embrace DIY insulation techniques: Use inexpensive materials like bubble wrap or reflective foil insulation to cover windows, especially single-pane windows, to minimize heat loss.
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Heat only occupied spaces: Close doors to unoccupied rooms and focus heating on the areas where you spend the most time. This helps concentrate the warmth where it's needed most.
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Make use of natural heating sources: If you have a sunny room, open up curtains or blinds during the day to let sunlight naturally warm up the space.
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Use rugs and carpets: Add rugs or carpets to your floors to provide an extra layer of insulation, keeping your feet warm and reducing heat loss through the floorboards.
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Consider using draft stoppers at key areas: Use draft stoppers or door snakes at the base of doors and windows to prevent drafts and keep warm air from escaping.
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Take advantage of warm bedding: Invest in warm bedding materials, such as flannel or fleece sheets, thermal blankets, and duvets with a high tog rating, to keep you cozy during chilly nights.
