7 Budget-Friendly Tips to Keep Your Home Warm This Winter

We've had rather mild weather so far this winter in the Portland area, but the prediction is for cold nights and wintery weather - with possibly snow - coming during the first weekend in February.  If you're looking for ways to keep warm this winter without busting your budget, here are some practical and inexpensive ways to keep your home warm.

1. USE A SPACE HEATER
Space heaters are a simple, convenient and highly customizable way to keep a house warm in the winter.  In poorly insulated houses or those without central heating, electric space heaters can be an energy-efficient option when you're only trying to heat a small area.

2. WRAP UP IN AN ELECTRIC BLANKET
Some family members feel the house is too cold, while others think it's too hot. Electric blankets may be just the ting.  they use very little energy and everyone in the house can adjust their blanket to their preferred termperature!

3. HANG HEAVY DRAPES
Just like you change your summer bedding out for flannel sheets and thick duvets in the winter, you should change out your window treatments.  Swap light and breezy fabrics for heavier drapes that can conserve warmth.

4. WEATHERSTRIP
While ou're hanging new drapes, check around your windows and doors for drafty areas.  A little bit of weather stripping can help your windows and doors seal more tightly, perventing cold outside air from leaking into our home.

5. DECORATE YOUR BARE WALLS
Believe it or not, but mirrors, framed artwork and other wall hanging provide extra insulation for your home. This is especially true for walls located around the perimeter of your house.

6. REVERSE YOUR CEILING FANS
Once winter arrives, switch yoru ceiling fans to winter mode.  make sure the blades are rotating in a clockwise direction pushing the hot air down from the ceiling to the open spaces in the room.

7. INSULATE YOUR WATER HEATER
Insulating your hot water tank is an inexpensive, easy way to improve energy eficiency and save money on energy bills.  If your water heater is an old model, consider insulating your water tank with a fiberglass blanket, which can reduce your unit's heat loss by 25-45%.

For more information on any of these suggestions, take a look at the American Home Shield article:
7 Budget-Friendly tips to Keep Your Home Warm

Stay Warm this Winter!

Adapted from American Home Shield blog