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Keeping warm and cosy in your home while saving energy is a dilemma that many students face in winter. With temperatures falling and the cost of heating rising, searching for alternative methods of keeping warm is crucial. While some landlords cover gas and electricity in their rent, others don’t. Although all-inclusive packages are ideal as you can manage your monthly finances with peace of mind all year round, they aren’t always available. If you are trying to keep your bills down and you don’t want to turn the heating on there are other crafty ways to keep warm.
Here are ten top tips for feeling warm in your home on a budget:
Layer Up
If you are feeling the cold inside your home, just as you would if you were outside, it’s time to layer up. Wear warm clothes such as sweaters and thermal socks. Before you reach for the thermostat, wrap a blanket around yourself to keep warm and pop a woolly hat and scarf on to stop heat escaping.
Use Draught Stoppers
Draught stoppers keep cold draughts out and keep warm air in – exactly what you need to keep your house warm and cosy. You can place them by front, back and internal doors, large windows and any other area you feel a breeze. Choose one room to spend time in, turn the radiator on in this space and place the draught excluder there – that way you have created a warm space without heating the whole home. If you don’t want to buy one, towels, clothes and blankets will also work to trap the heat in!
Maximise Natural Light
When you think of feeling toasty and snug, you probably picture the curtains closed. However, don’t forget to open them in the daytime and let the sunlight pour in. The sun is your free central heating system, it can warm up your rooms and the items inside them naturally, creating a warmth that can be retained throughout the day.
Rugs and soft furnishings
When you need to add a little extra warmth, soft furnishings can be key. Rugs, like carpets, create a layer of thermal resistance between the floor and the rest of the room. This insulation can help reduce heat loss and create warmth. The soft texture under your feet can also make you feel cosier, especially when placed on a hard floor.
Seal Windows
You can save on heating costs by checking for air leaks where you feel them and using a product called caulk to seal the cracks, gaps, or joints in your windows. This will alleviate draughts and help your home feel warmer. You can also use a flexible string called weather stripping to seal the edges of windows and doors, keeping the outdoor elements at bay.
Another very cheap trick is to use cling film to seal your windows. Windows without double glazing can create an extremely cold environment, welcoming the cold air and inviting the heat to escape. Cling film can help to trap a small layer of air and stop any warmth from escaping.
Cook Meals
When you cook a meal, the oven itself can act as a little radiator. Once you have finished cooking, make sure that the windows and doors in the room are closed, leave the oven door open and let the room retain the heat (just be careful not to go too close it as you don’t want to risk a burn). This is a great little hack to save money and heat your space.
Rearrange furniture
Make sure that your furniture is away from radiators, ensuring that there is enough space around them to heat the room properly and allow warm air to travel further. Once the heat is circulating efficiently, you will avoid cold rooms and raised heating costs. If the circulation of heat is blocked for long periods, it can disrupt the entire home’s heat flow so make sure you check this out sooner rather than later.
Hot Water Bottles
Your cosiest friend on a cold winter’s day is the hot water bottle. It offers a speedy and cost-efficient way to stay warm without spending money. Perfect for study days or movie nights the simple hot water bottle can give you the warmest cuddle. Make sure you don’t fill the bottle to the top, let out the excess air and screw the top on tight to stay safe, always covering it with a tea towel or the cover it came with.
Candles
Believe it or not, candles can actually heat up a room. However, you would need at least ten to start feeling the effect (this can be a fire hazard, especially if you are lighting a lot of them so you would have to be very careful). However, dotting some candles here and there can make you feel warmer psychologically and they are also well-known for their therapeutic and calming effects, creating exactly the right environment for studying.
Smart Thermostat
If you haven’t already got one, think about installing a smart thermostat in your student home. They can learn the schedule of your household and adjust the temperature and lighting accordingly, saving energy when nobody is home. They can also pre-heat your home just before you get back, meaning you can probably set the temperature slightly lower, offering another simple way to save.
Staying warm in your student home is not only important so that you keep yourself cosy, but it also makes sure that your health is looked after by preventing the cold and damp from potentially making you ill. With a few simple ideas, you and your housemates can keep warm without breaking the bank.