How To Keep a House Warm in Winter?

There’s nothing like coming back to a warm, cozy house in the middle of winter. However, many people struggle to keep their homes warm without spending a fortune on energy bills. Fortunately, you can keep your home warm in winter without over-relying on the HVAC or heating system with the right approach. 

Here are ways to keep your home warm in winter: 

1. Insulate your windows and doors.
2. Upgrade your roof insulation.
3. Use rugs to preserve heat.
4. Use a humidifier to increase the humidity. 
5. Hang heavier curtains. 
6. Service your HVAC system.
7. Use a smart thermostat.
8. Shrink-wrap your windows.

The rest of this article will give you a detailed overview of how to keep your home warm using these tips. It will also give you a rough estimation of how much impact each method will have. Keep reading.

1. Insulate Your Windows and Doors

There’s no use in heating your home, only for the cold air to come through gaps around the windows or under the doors. Insulate your windows to block the drought and keep the heat trapped inside on the coldest days. 

Perform Caulking 

Caulk is an effective material used to seal all types of windows. Use latex caulk to cover up window cracks or silicone-based caulk for an airtight finish. Paintable caulk is also quite popular since it doesn’t make the window look out of place.

Use Spray Foam 

Use spray foam to cover up larger cracks around the windows or doors. The best thing about spray foam is that it helps you cover cracks that you can’t reach with caulk, although you must be careful when applying it.

Read: Quietest HVAC System

Use Draft Snakes

Draft snakes are inexpensive and help keep the air off the bottom part of the window where you can’t apply sealant. You can purchase a cloth or foam draft snake or even make your own with a stuffed towel. 

Draft snakes are more effective at insulating the doors. Foam draft snakes are better, especially if you have to open the door regularly.

Read: HVAC System Service – How It’s Done And How Much Does It Cost?

2. Upgrade Your Roof Insulation

Since up to a quarter of your house’s heat is lost through the roof, roof insulation plays a major role in keeping your house warm during the winter. Roof insulation is made to last over 20 years. However, it can get damaged over time, causing the roof to lose more heat. If your roof insulation is too old, consider replacing it with better-quality insulation material. 

Spray-Foam Insulation Provides Warmth and Sound Protection

Spray foam insulation is the most common form of roof insulation. It consists of a chemical foam that hardens after application, forming a player of insulation on the roof. Spray foam insulation is immune to mold, is airtight, and provides good heat and sound insulation. 

However, it can be expensive and may contain harmful chemicals, so always have it applied by a professional.

Insulation Boards Are Easy To Install 

Insulation boards are dense foam boards covered in tin foil. They’re placed in the roof or attic to prevent heat from escaping. These boards are easy to install and have the best insulation. 

They also don’t contain the same harmful chemicals as spray-foam insulation but can get damaged more easily.

Mineral Wool Insulation Is Cost-Effective and Mold-Resistant

If you’re looking for a cost-effective insulation option, go for mineral wool. It consists of glass or rock wool and is placed in the attic to insulate the roof. Mineral wool insulation is non-flammable, mold-resistant, and preserves heat quite well in the winter. However, it isn’t as effective in the summer.

Fiberglass Insulation Is Cheap

Another option worth considering is fiberglass. Fiberglass insulation is easily available and can be DIY installed.

Fiberglass is relatively cheap. Furthermore, it’s perfect for applying in hard-to-reach areas. Fiberglass is also moisture-resistant and provides both heat and sound insulation. 

When choosing different roof insulation options, always consider the longevity and cost of the insulation material. Mineral wool and fiberglass are less costly and easier to install, but they won’t last as long as spray foam.

Read: What Type Of HVAC System Do I Have?

3. Use Rugs To Preserve Heat

Keeping your floor insulated is essential to reducing heat loss in your house during winter. In fact, insulating your flooring is just as important as insulating the roof. One way to do so is by placing an area rug on your floors to preserve the heat.  

Alternatively, you could add insulation under the flooring, but this is costly and not always viable. Rugs made from wool are often best since they have natural insulation and buoyancy. Wool is also damp-proof and won’t absorb moisture easily. 

Rugs work especially well on tiled flooring since it can get quite cold in winter. You can always remove the rugs in the warm summer months, unlike permanent insulation.

4. Use a Humidifier To Increase the Humidity

Simply blasting hot air into your house through an HVAC system won’t give your home a warm cozy feel. AC heating systems can make the air quite dry and often require more energy to warm rooms optimally in winter. 

The best way to naturally increase your house’s temperature is to increase the air humidity levels. Humid air retains heat well, so you’ll sweat more in a room where there are more people. Use a humidifier to increase air humidity levels to at least 45%.

Anything lower than this is too dry and will make your home feel colder. If you live in an area where there’s a lot of winter rain, check the air humidity levels before getting a humidifier since you might not need it. 

If you can’t get a humidifier, use a bowl of boiling water to release steam in the home. It may be a simple solution, but it works. 

5. Hang Heavier Curtains 

If your house loses a lot of heat in the winter, most of the cold air will come through the windows. Insulating your windows can help reduce the cold air intake, but you can add an extra layer of protection with thick curtains. 

Thick, heavy curtains effectively prevent the cold air around the windows from cooling the room’s warm air, increasing your room temperature. Close your curtains earlier in the winter for more heat retention. Studies have shown that closing your curtains earlier in the winter can increase heat retention by 15–17%.

Read: What Are The Most Common Type Of HVAC Systems?

6. Service Your HVAC System

If your HVAC system isn’t serviced regularly, it will lose efficiency. It’s always best to service your HVAC system in the fall so that it’s in prime condition for winter. Some experts recommend servicing your HVAC systems twice a year, although once a year is enough if you use it responsibly. 

Over a year, dust and other pollutants will build up in the air filters, reducing your HVAC system’s efficiency. If you live in a dry and dusty area, it may be good to service your HVAC system twice a year.

7. Use a Smart Thermostat

Get a smart thermostat if you want to keep your house warm in the winter without using excessive energy or constantly adjusting room temperature. A smart thermostat is designed to detect patterns in home heating systems and adjust the room temperature accordingly. 

You can program your smart thermostat to heat the room just before you arrive home from work or automatically switch off when there’s no one at home. Smart thermostats also detect changes in humidity levels, outdoor temperature, and other weather conditions and adjust the heating settings accordingly. 

If you’re looking to reduce your energy bill and keep your house at the optimal temperature in winter, choose either a smart or programmable thermostat.

Read: Benefits Of A Programmable Thermostat

8. Shrink-Wrap Your Windows 

Shrink-wrapping your windows is another cost-effective way to keep your home warm during the winter. Windows insulation kits are easy to install and can significantly reduce your energy bill. Shrink Film is a layer of plastic applied to windows that prevent the cold from entering your house. 

Some people dislike shrink-wrap because it affects the aesthetics of their houses. But when covered with a curtain, the shrink wrap shouldn’t look too bad. Since it’s much cheaper than other types of window insulation, you can always take it off when the summer arrives. 

Key Takeaways 

Keeping your house warm in winter requires a combination of insulation installation and simple practices like using floor rugs or getting a smart thermostat. Servicing your HVAC system regularly and using a humidifier to increase air humidity is also effective at keeping your house warm during freezing temperatures.