The winter season is the perfect time to make your home cozy and warm, but you should do a few things before the first snowfall hits. You don’t want to worry about keeping your house warm when you can make it easier on yourself by preparing in advance. Here are seven things that will help you make sure your home is ready for winter:
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1. Fireplace
A report by Statista states that around 32,000 newly built houses in the US had at least one fireplace at home in 2017. At the same time, there were around 38,000 homes that had more than one fireplace installed.
If you’re lucky enough to have a fireplace, it’s worth ensuring it’s in good working order. Fireplaces are a great way to heat your home and keep it warm during winter. Wood stoves are another popular choice for heating your home, but they can be expensive and require regular maintenance.
Instead of investing in a wood stove, consider buying an insert for your fireplace. These inserts allow you to use cheaper fuel sources, such as pellets or logs, without worrying about cleaning out ashes or maintaining the system yourself.
2. Heat Pump
A heat pump is a device that uses a refrigeration cycle to move heat from one place to another. Heat pumps are most commonly used in homes and offices and are often used to heat and cool the home.
They can also provide hot water, especially during winter when temperatures drop below freezing. Heat pumps are more efficient than other heating systems because they require less energy than forced air furnaces or electric baseboards while still providing superior temperature control.
3. Winter Boot Dryers
Boot dryers are a great way to dry wet boots and shoes. They can be used in the garage or outside, and you can also use them for other things, such as drying wet towels, clothes, and even pets.
You’ll want to ensure that you have enough room in your home if you use this product. Some boot dryers are compact, but some are bulkier, so keep that in mind when deciding which one is right for you.
When the weather gets cold, you must ensure that your feet are warm and dry. Here are some of the best benefits of using boot dryers during winter:
- Dry boots in minutes.
- It keeps your feet warm and comfortable.
- Helps prevent foot diseases like athlete’s foot, fungal infections, or even frostbite.
- It saves you time from having to go out and buy new shoes.
- Protects your shoes from damage by keeping them dry.
You can search on Google or visit online stores for more information on boot dryers before making any purchases.
4. Thicker Curtains
Thick curtains are one of the best ways to keep heat in your home. Make sure they fit snugly and close to the window so they don’t let any drafts in. You can hang them on either side of your windows, but if you’re tight on space, it might be easier to have them go up from ceiling to floor. Using these thicker curtains for every room in your house will help insulate all areas and keep everyone warm.
Thicker curtains are made from heavier materials than standard curtains. They’re also designed to insulate against cold temperatures so that you don’t have to turn up your thermostat as much when they’re installed on your windows.
Installing thicker curtains can help reduce your energy bill by as much as 30%, which means more money in your pocket and less money spent on electricity each month.
5. Portable Home Heaters
It’s important to have a home heater in the winter, especially if you live somewhere that gets cold. There are many home heaters, but one of the most popular types is a portable heater.
Portable heaters are safe because they’re small and don’t take up much space, so there’s no risk of them falling over or catching fire. They’re also efficient because these heating devices do not waste much energy. All that’s needed is an outlet and some oil.
Portable heaters are also easy to use; just plug them in and turn them on. Some portable heaters even come with remote controls, so all you need to do is press a button.
Portable heaters can be used in different rooms too. If someone has allergies, having multiple units around the house might help reduce symptoms like sneezing or coughing due to dust particles being released into the air everywhere.
Finally, price point. If we’re talking about price alone, this purchase will cost significantly less than purchasing something fancy like a central heating unit plus monthly expenses afterward. According to CNet, a portable personal heater can start at around $20, while a full-capacity room heater can go up to $300.
Plus, these units last longer, too, since there aren’t any moving parts inside that could break down at any moment.
6. Hot Water Bottles
According to the Market Growth Report, the global market for Hot Water Bottles was at USD 114 million in 2020. But it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 1.7% between 2021-2026 to reach USD 128.4 million by the end of 2026. Although hot water bottles are used at hospitals and healthcare centers, their usage is more in households, especially during winter.
Hot water bottles are an inexpensive way to keep warm, but they can also be dangerous. If you have children, make sure they don’t play with them or leave them near pets because they could hurt themselves if they fall onto one or get bitten by a dog that knocks it over.
Also, always check your hot water bottle before use to ensure no leaks or cracks. If there is a leak or crack in the rubber casing, throw the entire thing away and buy a new one.
An easy way to warm up a hot water bottle is by placing it in front of the fireplace while sitting on the couch wrapped up in blankets. It will save energy compared to turning on your boiler or stovetop element too soon. Plus, it’s fun watching how long it takes for your container of H20.
7. Warming Chest
A warming chest is a container filled with hot water and placed in a room to keep it warm. It works because the water absorbs heat from the room, preventing the temperature from dropping too low. The heating element of a warming chest is contained inside an external boiler, which heats the water until it reaches the desired temperature.
Warming chests can be used to warm up a whole house or part of it, depending on how much space you have and if you want to heat an entire room or several rooms at once.
Keeping Your Home Warm and Cozy During Winters
The arrival of winter is a challenge. It’s the season that feels like it never ends, and it can be tempting to throw in the towel and hibernate for the next six months. But don’t do that. Winter is a test of endurance, resourcefulness, and self-sufficiency, and if you’re not ready for all those challenges, then you won’t be when they come knocking on your door.
The key to surviving winter has everything you need so that when things go wrong, there’s no time wasted figuring out what went wrong or where to find help. Having some basic supplies stocked in advance will ensure those catastrophes are less catastrophic and give you more time to enjoy winter instead of dealing with it.
The best thing you can do is to be prepared. Make sure your house is winter ready, and if something goes wrong, there will always be time to fix it.