Would you like to save hundreds of dollars each month on your heating bill? Of course you would, but what can be done to efficiently heat your home?

Winter is coming, which means the time to start thinking about heating your home is now. In recent years, temperatures have progressively dropped to new record lows, resulting in colder, icier, and bitterer seasons. This means that it is more important than it ever was before to make sure that your home is adequately and properly heated. But if you are concerned about having to pay too much for heating or doing any damage to the environment, don’t be. There are plenty of ways in which you can efficiently heat your home, with little impact on your wallet and the environment.

Here are all the ways you can fight the cold and keep your home nice, warm, and cozy this winter for you and your whole family, without having to worry (or pay) too much:

• Let more sunlight in

Natural sunlight really does have its benefits, especially in the wintertime. It’s basically free heat, and it’s more environmentally friendly. Curtains and window shades should be kept open during the day and closed as soon as night falls. This way, you will maximize your home’s potential to retain whatever heat the sunlight gave.

• Buy thick curtains

Thick curtains are a great way to protect your home from losing heat through the windows, and curtains with thermal linings can be a cheap and efficient option. If you don’t want to buy new curtains though, then you can line the ones you have with cheap fleece materials. You may also place thick curtains in front of doors to add an extra layer of protection.

• Check your fireplace

A lot of heat can be lost through (non-decorative) fireplaces and chimneys. Consider getting what is called a “chimney balloon”, which is made from a special laminate and works by being placed inside the chimney hole and then inflated until it completely shuts out any incoming cold air and prevents heat from escaping (don’t worry, it’s discreet and will be placed just out of sight). Another option would be woolen chimney insulators. However, make sure you remove any balloon or insulator before you start any fires.

• Watch out for mini-draughts

The more insulation you have, the better. But don’t just focus on the big possible sources for draughts, like windows or doors. Watch out for smaller sources of draughts, like letter-boxes or cracks in the walls or floorboards.

• Clear your radiators

Avoid placing large pieces of furniture in front of your radiators, as furniture can soak up heat. You can also try putting a shelf above your radiator, especially if you have high ceilings, as that can help channel the warmth. And of course, never place things on the radiator itself, as it will not only stop the heat from coming out, but it can be a big potential fire hazard. You want your house to be hot, but not on fire!

• Shut up unused rooms

If there are any rooms that you do not use often or do not plan on using much any time soon, then shut them up. Keeping doors closed will prevent cold air from moving into the rest of your home and will also contain the heat your home is generating in a smaller, closed-off area.

• Cover bare floorboards

Surprisingly enough, floors can account for as much as 10% of heat loss if they are not properly insulated, especially if the floors are made of wood. Cover up any bare floorboards with rugs or blankets to preserve heat.

And finally,

• Time your heating

Ignore the myth that keeping your heat running all day long is better. It is actually neither cost effective nor environmentally friendly, so set a timer on your heating. If it’s very cold, then the timer should be set to switch the heating on earlier, which is a better option than turning the thermostat way up to warm the house as quickly as possible.

With over 19 years of experience, Sonoma County Comfort Heating & Air is a family-owned and operated business dedicated to providing top-quality comfort heating and air services in Sonoma, Marin, and Napa counties in Northern California.

If you need us to heat your home or you need cooling air, we can help. For more information on what we do and how we can help you with all your heating and air needs, please visit us online or contact us today!