4 Simple Ways to Keep Your Home Warm WITHOUT BREAKING THE BANK
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It's that time of year again when the days are getting warmer and the nights are getting shorter. But before you know it, rain and other weather events are on their way. And with the threat of climate change, the weather can get unpredictable.
Although we may not have to worry about shovelling snow or scraping ice off our windshields, cooler temperatures can still pose a threat. In fact, cold homes are typically thought to be detrimental to your health.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) housing and health guidelines state that temperatures below 18 degrees Celsius contribute to poor respiratory and cardiovascular results.
Additionally, elderly people and those with compromised immune systems are particularly vulnerable to these threats if their homes are not sufficiently heated.
That's why it's important to be prepared and have a plan in place in case the weather takes a turn for the worse.
So, how can we go about this issue? Do we need to shell out big bucks for heaters?
Well, folks, the thing is you don't even need to spend heaps of dollars to keep yourselves warm and cosy during the cooler weather. Here are some top tips for staying warm without breaking the bank:
Staying warm and cosy is important because cold temperatures can pose health risks. Credit: Shutterstock.
1. Electric blanket
Electric blankets are a great way to stay warm without turning on your home's main heater. They're portable, energy-efficient, and can be used in a variety of ways - like draped over your bed or shared while watching TV.
If you're looking for a way to save on your energy bill while staying warm, an electric blanket is a great option. A typical blanket uses between 20 and 100 watts of electricity, costing less than 5 cents per hour to run. Compare that to a fan heater, which costs between 30 and 70 cents per hour, and you can see the savings add up quickly.
2. Bubble Wrap
You might want to consider ditching the double glazing and opting for bubble wrap instead if you want to save money on home insulation.
That's right, bubble wrap! According to experts, the air pockets in the bubble wrap create the same effect as double glazing, but without the cost.
So, if you're renting or can't afford to get double window glazing installed, bubble wrap could be a cheap and effective alternative. Plus, you can recycle packing materials and potentially install this for free.
The process of installing bubble wraps is also simple! Simply spray your window with water (or window cleaner) and press the bubble wrap on top. Your home is now ready for the cold weather. Peel the bubble wrap off when you no longer require it!
3. Boiling the right amount of warm beverages
If you're anything like us, you love a hot beverage to keep warm in winter. But did you know that you could be saving money by not boiling a full kettle of water?
According to the UK Centre for Sustainable Energy, boiling only the amount of water you need can save you money. It costs around 3 cents to heat a kettle of water to the maximum, but only 1 cent to heat it to the minimum. And if you have leftover hot water, you can save money by pouring it into a thermos to use later.
While saving around 10 cents a day doesn’t seem like much, over the course of a year, you could save $36.50, which is better than nothing. So next time you're reaching for the kettle, think about boiling only what you need. Your wallet will thank you!
Getting creative and doing research can help you save money while warming your home. Credit: Getty Images.
4. Curtains
Curtains can be a great way to keep your home insulated – and they don't have to be boring, either.
Sustainability Victoria claims that compared to an insulated wall of the same size, one pane of glass can lose ten times as much energy.
So, let the sunlight in during the day to help keep your home warm, and then draw the curtains as soon as the sun goes down.
Also, to maximise this, you might want to use thick, thermal curtains. This prevents warm air from escaping!
If you find yourself in a situation where you need to insulate your home but don't have the money to do so, there are some creative ways to do it yourself. With a little bit of research, you can find ways to insulate your home using materials that you may already have around the house!
We hope this article inspired you to seek out ways to solve your home issues with budget-friendly tricks. As always, do not hesitate to leave a comment or message us if you have more tips or if you're looking for tricks on how to solve specific problems in your homes! Stay safe and stay warm, folks!
Although we may not have to worry about shovelling snow or scraping ice off our windshields, cooler temperatures can still pose a threat. In fact, cold homes are typically thought to be detrimental to your health.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) housing and health guidelines state that temperatures below 18 degrees Celsius contribute to poor respiratory and cardiovascular results.
Additionally, elderly people and those with compromised immune systems are particularly vulnerable to these threats if their homes are not sufficiently heated.
That's why it's important to be prepared and have a plan in place in case the weather takes a turn for the worse.
So, how can we go about this issue? Do we need to shell out big bucks for heaters?
Well, folks, the thing is you don't even need to spend heaps of dollars to keep yourselves warm and cosy during the cooler weather. Here are some top tips for staying warm without breaking the bank:
Staying warm and cosy is important because cold temperatures can pose health risks. Credit: Shutterstock.
1. Electric blanket
Electric blankets are a great way to stay warm without turning on your home's main heater. They're portable, energy-efficient, and can be used in a variety of ways - like draped over your bed or shared while watching TV.
If you're looking for a way to save on your energy bill while staying warm, an electric blanket is a great option. A typical blanket uses between 20 and 100 watts of electricity, costing less than 5 cents per hour to run. Compare that to a fan heater, which costs between 30 and 70 cents per hour, and you can see the savings add up quickly.
2. Bubble Wrap
You might want to consider ditching the double glazing and opting for bubble wrap instead if you want to save money on home insulation.
That's right, bubble wrap! According to experts, the air pockets in the bubble wrap create the same effect as double glazing, but without the cost.
So, if you're renting or can't afford to get double window glazing installed, bubble wrap could be a cheap and effective alternative. Plus, you can recycle packing materials and potentially install this for free.
The process of installing bubble wraps is also simple! Simply spray your window with water (or window cleaner) and press the bubble wrap on top. Your home is now ready for the cold weather. Peel the bubble wrap off when you no longer require it!
3. Boiling the right amount of warm beverages
If you're anything like us, you love a hot beverage to keep warm in winter. But did you know that you could be saving money by not boiling a full kettle of water?
According to the UK Centre for Sustainable Energy, boiling only the amount of water you need can save you money. It costs around 3 cents to heat a kettle of water to the maximum, but only 1 cent to heat it to the minimum. And if you have leftover hot water, you can save money by pouring it into a thermos to use later.
While saving around 10 cents a day doesn’t seem like much, over the course of a year, you could save $36.50, which is better than nothing. So next time you're reaching for the kettle, think about boiling only what you need. Your wallet will thank you!
Getting creative and doing research can help you save money while warming your home. Credit: Getty Images.
4. Curtains
Curtains can be a great way to keep your home insulated – and they don't have to be boring, either.
Sustainability Victoria claims that compared to an insulated wall of the same size, one pane of glass can lose ten times as much energy.
So, let the sunlight in during the day to help keep your home warm, and then draw the curtains as soon as the sun goes down.
Also, to maximise this, you might want to use thick, thermal curtains. This prevents warm air from escaping!
If you find yourself in a situation where you need to insulate your home but don't have the money to do so, there are some creative ways to do it yourself. With a little bit of research, you can find ways to insulate your home using materials that you may already have around the house!
We hope this article inspired you to seek out ways to solve your home issues with budget-friendly tricks. As always, do not hesitate to leave a comment or message us if you have more tips or if you're looking for tricks on how to solve specific problems in your homes! Stay safe and stay warm, folks!
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