by Andrea West
Posted on 2016-02-09 14:12:29
Whether winter is coming or has already arrived, here is a checklist to help keep you warm and your heating bill low. The nice part about this checklist is that not everything needs to be checked off! Just pick and choose the ones that work for you and that your landlord will allow.
Typical Fixes
__ Locate source of drafts
__ Use weatherstripping for gaps around windows and doors
__ Use caulk to stop drafts in other areas
__ Insulate outlets and switches
__ Check heating system
__ Remove window air conditioners
__ Install a digital thermostat
__ Use an at-home window insulation kit
__ Use curtains for your windows
__ Make sure your vents aren’t blocked
__ Consider using space heaters
Creative Solutions
__ Run your ceiling fans on reverse setting
__ Use a humidifier, especially if the air where you live is dry
__ Cover your exterior-facing walls with blankets for extra insulation
__ Close the doors on rooms that don’t need heated
__ Use bubble wrap as the plastic to insulate your windows
__ Put large furniture pieces around the edges of the room for even more insulation
__ Buy indoor plants to help filter the air of your now thoroughly air-tight apartment
Personal Matters
__ Bundle up with blankets
__ Eat warm food
__ Drink something warm
__ Exercise when you’re feeling cold
Do as the Romans Do
__ Korea - use heated floors (but in America, at least make sure your floors are insulated with rugs)
__ Japan - cover a table with a blanket and put a heater underneath to create a warm haven
__ Mongolia and Himalayan region - drink butter tea
__ Tibet - practice Tumo, which is a breathing exercise to heat up your body
__ Northern Canada (Inuit) - cuddle and co-sleep for extra body warmth
__ Every cold-weather country - layer up your clothing
Have a Question? Need Help?