It feels like the temperature is dropping every day as we edge closer to winter. Since the mornings are colder and the nights darker, it also means we’re looking for more ways to keep warm.
Unsurprisingly, the first option is to turn up the heating. However, we’re here to tell you that that’s not the only option. There are plenty of simple ways to keep your home warm, from bubble wrap to draught stoppers. These heating hacks are quick and easy and each one will help you feel cosier on a brisk winter day.
1. Embrace natural sunlight
It sounds simple, and it is. Every glimpse of sun in welcomed this season, and for good reason. Without exposing yourself to too much sun, feel free to absorb as much heat as possible for a process called thermal mass. If your home has high thermal mass it will absorb, store and internally release heat during winter.
This is a key part of passive design, where you embrace the layout and design to naturally heat and cool. For example, if you have concrete or tiled floors that will retain heat and slowly release it, look to get as much direct sunlight on the floor as possible.
2. Insulate with bubble wrap
Did you know that a home can lose up to 35% of its warmth through uninsulated walls and ceilings? That’s a lot of wasted heat and energy that could be retained by… bubble wrap insulation.
It might sound a little strange, but bare with us. Professionally installed insulation is worthwhile, albeit more costly. If your home lacks insulation, or contains aged materials, certainly look into upgrades and installations. However, bubble wrap can provide a great option for the meantime.
Not only can this handy packing material relieve stress, but the bubbles and air pockets provide slow heat loss. By placing the bubble wrap on the inside of your windows, with the bubbles facing away from you, internal heat will be better retained.
3. Clean heater filters
Think of clogged filters like a cold: it’s hard for us to function when feeling congested and stuffy. Your air con feels and performs in the exact same way when blocked up.
Blocked filters impact the performance and efficiency of your heater. Contaminants and allergens will not be filtered properly, while the flow of warm air is stifled. Thankfully gas ducted systems, reverse cycle air conditioners and split systems have filters and return vents that can be easily cleaned.
It’s quick and easy to clean the heater filters yourself, too. You can gently vacuum the dust and debris off of the unit and filters. Or, you can soak the filters in slightly soapy warm water. Just be sure to let everything dry before placing it back in the system.
4. Warm carpets and rugs
No one enjoys stepping on a cold, hard surface after sliding out of your toasty warm bed. Give yourself a pleasurable first step with a nice rug or carpet instead.
The rug itself does not retain heat, but it will keep you away from the harsh exposure to a cold wooden floorboard or linoleum. And if you place a rug near your heater, your pets will love the toasty nap location.
5. Protective draught stoppers
Nothing’s worse than a cold draught blowing through while you’re watching a new episode of Gogglebox or rewatching season 2 of Bridgerton. To avoid the extra chill and keep your house warm, purchase some draught stoppers, door snakes or a permanent door draught excluder.
The excluder is a more professional look, perfect for the front door and external laundry door. With an airtight seal you can keep the pesky cold air out of the home, while keeping the warm air in.
6. Heartwarming home cooking
If you ask us, this is the most important hack.
Whether it’s a big roast, a cake, muffins or pasta bake, you can take advantage of the heat produced by your oven to keep the kitchen toasty warm.
Now, don’t just sit there with the oven door wide open for hours. It should not be used as a heater. You just want to soak up the ambient heat from cooking or baking. And once you’re done and everything is switched off, safely leave the oven door ajar and allow the heat to roll through the kitchen.
7. Reverse the ceiling fan direction
Low profile ceiling fans are typically used to cool down a room in summer. The counter-clockwise spinning means the angled blades push cooler air down, while improving the airflow.
However, once winter rolls around, you can swap from the fan’s summer setting to winter and reverse the direction of movement. A clockwise motion pulls up the cooler air, pushing warm air down in its place. This is a handy way to ensure warm air doesn’t settle and become stuffy, too.
8. Snuggle up to an electric blanket
If you’re yet to join the world of electric blanket lovers, well, what’s stopping you?! Electric blankets are perfect for warming up the bed at night so you have a welcoming burrito of cosiness to dive into.
Electric blankets also provide centralised heating, which is handy if you don’t want to leave the heater on all night. Typically you should turn the blanket off before going to sleep. And if you’re worried about safety, set the timer so it will always turn off soon after jumping into bed.
9. Warm up with hand massagers
One innovative way to keep your hands warm in winter is by purchasing a hand warmer massager. Forget about inferior heat packs for your hands, a hand warmer massager is the perfect way to prevent dry and scaly hands.
10. Allow the heat to flow
Usually we think that hot air needs to be trapped in a room. That’s true to an extent, however, you want air flow. Objects should never block a heater or vent so the warmed air can flow freely and evenly.
Many space heaters, such as those built into walls, do have inbuilt fans. Warm air is pushed throughout a room efficiently. But if the couch is in the way, it goes nowhere. So, coupled with a ceiling fan, you can maintain a nice warm flow of comfortable air in any room.
11. Pile on extra layers
Finally, if you’re feeling the chill, just layer up! When you’re in the comfort of your own home, no one will judge you for wearing a matching Furfull blanket with your dog.
If you can think of anymore, don’t hesitate to carry the conversation over to friends and family. If you would like to consult a professional, feel free to contact the team at Metropolitan Air Conditioners.
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