Keeping a house warm in the winter is a major goal for most homeowners. While many people invest in expensive HVAC systems or furnaces, you may also insulate your home (it’s probably the best way) to keep it warm. However, if your home has poor insulation, you’ll need to look at alternative ways to keep it warm.
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Here are 10 easy ways to keep a poorly insulated house warm during winter:
- Install window blinds.
- Use heavy curtains to block the draft.
- Use door sweeps.
- Invest in a quality HVAC system.
- Fix your boiler.
- Block the chimney space.
- Remove objects from around the vents.
- Increase indoor air humidity.
- Install an electric floor heater.
- Insulate the roof.
The best option is to install quality insulation, but there are many other cost-effective ways to keep your home warm. Let’s look at these methods in detail and explore professional tips to keep your house warm in winter. Keep reading.
1. Install Window Blinds
Whenever you’re looking at improving your house’s insulation, the windows are a good place to start. 40% of warm air escapes through uncovered windows, making the house cold, even if the windows are closed. The best way to prevent hot air from escaping a room is to install window blinds.
Window blinds effectively keep the cold air out and help prevent the room’s warm air from escaping. Always choose window blinds with insulating material such as cloth or other natural materials. Window blinds that close completely are also more effective at insulating the house than those with more gaps.
Suppose your house has poorly insulated drafty windows. Then, replacing thin curtains with quality window blinds will keep it warmer.
Read: How To Keep A House Warm In Winter?
2. Use Heavy Curtains To Block the Draft
If you prefer not to have window blinds, you can use curtains to the same effect. Heavy curtains will also form a barrier between the cold air around the window and the warm air of the house, giving your home better insulation against the cold.
Heavy curtains can also improve a room’s insulation, which may help you save on energy costs. If you can, choose thick curtains with a higher percentage of wool fabric. Wool is one of the best insulators and is perfect for the winter months.
A helpful tip when installing heavy curtains is to open them early to let the sunlight in and close them before dusk. Some people prefer to keep the curtains closed the whole day in winter. However, closing the curtains will deprive their houses of natural sunlight.
3. Use Door Sweeps
Did you know that the slight gap underneath your doors is enough to turn your room into a chiller in winter? Even the tiniest openings can reduce the efficiency of an HVAC or heating system. The best way to insulate the gap under your doors is to use door sweeps.
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Door sweeps are usually made from a waterproof material, like nylon. They’re permanently attached to the door and block the cold air from entering the room. Door sweeps are more effective than blocking the opening with a towel or cloth and also block out pests.
If you’re looking for an inexpensive method of insulating your house, door sweeps should be a priority.
4. Invest in a Quality HVAC System
If your house isn’t built with natural insulation, you’ll have to control the temperature with technology. Invest in an HVAC system designed to maximize heating without energy wastage. Most heating systems are inefficient and require constant adjustments to work. A quality HVAC system will keep your house at an optimal temperature and prevent heat loss.
Before purchasing an HVAC system, always check the energy rating and temperature control settings. Some heating systems have an automatic temperature adjustment setting which only heats the room as required to save more energy.
Also, try to get an HVAC system with a programmable thermostat. Adjust the temperature according to expert recommendations for energy saving. By adjusting the room temperature slightly lower in winter, you can keep your home warm while saving as much as 10% of your total energy costs.
Read: Benefits Of A Programmable Thermostat
5. Fix Your Boiler
Your boiler will often work overtime in the winter, especially if you live in a chilly area. You might not realize it, but your boiler may need serving more often. Always check whether your boiler is in optimal condition by servicing it at least twice a year.
Have a qualified technician look for leaks in the system and test the boiler’s energy efficiency. A simple service can significantly increase your boiler’s efficiency and reduce energy wastage.
Suppose you have an outdated boiler. If so, consider replacing it with a newer model. The latest models have better temperature control and will keep your home warm with minimal energy wastage.
Read: Why Boiler Is Not Producing Enough Hot Water?
6. Block the Chimney Space
Fireplaces may be a thing of the past, but many houses still have one. While the fireplace is designed to keep your house warm, it could have the opposite effect. Research shows that indoor fireplaces can be bad for health, especially for older ones.
However, if you don’t use the fireplace, cold air coming through the chimney can make your house chillier. The best solution is to seal the chimney to keep the cold air out. You can choose between permanently sealing the chimney or having a temporary seal that you can remove when you want to use the fireplace.
Sealing your fireplace can reduce air leaks by as much as 14% and save you a significant sum on heating costs each year.
7. Remove Objects From Around the Vents
Your house’s setting can affect heat retention significantly. Objects around air vents can block warm air in the house, reducing the HVAC’s heating efficiency. To optimize the heating of your HVAC system, keep the air vents clear from furniture and other objects.
While it may take some time to rearrange your furniture for the winter, you’ll be amazed at the difference it can make.
Read: Why Are HVAC Vents Under Windows?
8. Increase Indoor Air Humidity
While HVAC heating systems can keep the room temperature higher, they can make the room drier. Dry air feels colder and humid climates have a hotter feel. Increasing air humidity inside during the winter will help keep your house warmer and retain the heat longer.
To increase air humidity, use an indoor humidifier and adjust the humidity settings close to 50%. Humidifiers are affordable, and you can easily purchase them online. The latest humidifiers also purify the air and are great for areas with a lot of pollution.
Alternatively, you can increase room air humidity by heating a pot of water or kettle and letting the steam through the house. Increasing air humidity this way is guaranteed to increase the temperature by a few degrees. Even if the temperature increase is minimal, you’ll feel much warmer with higher humidity levels.
Read: Why Is My Humidifier Leaving White Dust?
9. Install an Electric Floor Heater
If your house doesn’t have great built-in insulation, you can always improve it by installing heating systems. But before you spend a fortune on attic insulation, consider installing electric floor heaters instead. Electric floor heaters are more effective in giving your house uniform warmth and work well in tiled homes.
An electric floor heating is similar to an electric blanket, requires little maintenance, and is noiseless. It’s also more energy-efficient than air heating systems since minimal air is lost through the floors. Some electric floor heaters are 25% more efficient than regular heaters.
The only downside of electric floor heaters is that they may be slightly more expensive initially, although you’ll save more on energy costs in the long run. You’ll also need to reinstall the flooring over the floor heaters, which can be costly.
But if you want to improve your house’s insulation in the long run, electric floor heaters are a great option.
10. Insulate the Roof
Poorly insulated houses often lack proper roof insulation. While you can try to keep your house warm with other methods, the best long-term solution is to install roof insulation. Insulating the roof can reduce warmth loss by up to 15%, making a marked difference in indoor temperature.
While there are dozens of different types of roof insulation to choose from, foam insulation or fiberglass insulation is usually more effective. Foam insulation is also cheaper and easier to install than other insulation types and requires no maintenance.
Roof insulation can last up to 100 years if installed properly, so it’s a once-in-a-lifetime cost. So, if you’re planning on installing roof insulation, choose a long-lasting, quality insulating material.