We all know that energy prices are skyrocketing, and the best way to lower our energy bill is find ways to make our furnaces run less often. I would like to offer you some unique ways to stay warm and save money on your energy bill.
You probably already know about these first few tips, but the tips at the end of this blog might surprise you!
COZY UP YOUR WINDOWS
A house with many windows has various benefits. However, they can also be a great source of heat loss. Think of window treatments as blankets for your windows. Allow the sun to “bake” your home, especially on the south side, during the day. In the evening, keep your windows cozy warm with some nice quality window treatments. By the way, if you are looking for a hobby, this is a great project for those learning to sew!
CLOSE UP UNUSED ROOMS
Are there rooms in your home that you don’t use as often? This is a great opportunity for another sewing project – draft dodgers! Try closing the heat vents to a room and closing the door to that room. Then place your hand along the bottom of the door and feel for a cold draft. I live in Minnesota, and the rooms on the north side of our house have quite a cool breeze escaping on cold days. I have placed draft dodgers on two rooms that we use less often. We keep our house at 72°F, but these rooms are consistently in the 50°s with the draft dodgers!
I think it is necessary to note, however, that it is very important to keep air flow and moisture control in mind. These rooms need to air out from time to time so that the air does not become stagnant. You also don’t want moisture building up, especially on the windows. You can quickly have a mold issue on your hands if you don’t keep an eye on this.
KEEP ON MOVING
When I am in the house and I am feeling chilly, my husband’s advice always comes to mind. He loves the old adage “a little work is like a light jacket”. I find that if I get up and move, either by doing some housework or hopping on the elliptical machine, I can quickly increase my heartrate. That extra blood flowing through my veins warms me up in no time!
I usually feel the coolest in the evenings if I sit down to watch tv. I like to keep a crochet project nearby for two reasons. One reason is that I feel like I’m wasting my time just sitting there and I like to do something productive. (I’m still trying to convince myself that watching tv is productive.) The second reason is that it takes my mind off of being cold. When I am cold, I tend to tense up, which restricts blood flow. Just as doing a little work increases your blood flow, relaxing your muscles can increase blood flow as well. Pro tip: if you are working on a blanket or sweater, that adds an extra layer of warmth to your lap!
Another easy sewing project is to make some microwavable hand warmers. You can fill them with rice to hold in the warmth. You can also add some essential oils for a pleasing and relaxing aroma.
LAYER UP!
Did you know that the fur on many animals is hollow? The Lord created them this way so their fur will act as an insulator to help them retain heat. We can apply that same principle by wearing layers to provide areas for warm air to stay trapped close to our bodies.
It is also important to wear layers so that as you warm up, you can remove layers if needed. If you start to perspire, that moisture on your skin will cause you to feel cooler. This is why it is important to take layers off if needed. You might want to invest in moisture wicking clothing. Also, cotton and wool fibers are great for absorbing wetness.
DRY YOUR HAIR COMPLETELY
I never realized how much of a difference this makes until I started straightening my hair. When I leave my hair curly, I will put gel in it to hold the curl. This also holds the moisture in your hair, which in turn can make you chilly. In the winter, I usually not only dry my hair completely, but I also run a straightener through it to pull out any excess moisture. Yes, I know that is so bad for your hair! I can hear my aunt who is a hairdresser now – BREAKAGE!! I use a deep conditioner in the spring, and I am sure to use a thermal protectant before I straighten. She still doesn’t like me using so much heat on my hair, but hey, at least I’m warm!
SPEAKING OF MOISTURE…
Have you ever heard that using a squeegee after you shower can help you save money on your energy bill?! Once again, if that moisture sits on your shower walls, it will eventually make its way into the air, then onto your skin, making you feel cooler. It can also contribute to mold growth.
I hope this helped you think of some unique ways to save money on your energy bill. Please drop a comment below and share some ideas that you have.
Cheers to staying warm,
Leah