Maybe you are a poor college student or maybe the owner of the house you live in has not yet made up his mind to fix the heating system. Maybe you live in an old, drafty house. Maybe you want to limit CO2 emissions. The fact is that it's cold and you need to find new ways to warm up. Here are some tips!
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Heating the House without a Heater
Step 1. Close all windows properly
Even the counter windows, in case your home has them. Keep them open during the day if the outside temperature exceeds the inside temperature.
Windows should have an airtight seal. Seal them with adhesive strips or plastic if necessary. If you have these things, use a towel or t-shirt to close the larger gaps
Step 2. Put inexpensive transparent shower curtains on the windows to allow light to pass through
In this way, they will keep the cold air out and let in the heat of the sun, warming the house. You can also cover your windows with clear plastic sheets, making them airtight.
Step 3. Set up some tents
A set of heavy curtains can block drafts. Keep them open on sunny days, otherwise you can leave them closed.
Step 4. Seal the doors
Take a look at the door frame and also under it. If you notice drafts, purchase a fabric draft shield. If you can't, make one with a towel.
Step 5. Get as much sunlight into the house as possible
Remove obstructions (such as plants) from windows that prevent sunlight from entering the house. Put them back in their place at night for greater isolation.
Step 6. Close all the rooms you don't use
The doors will create a barrier between you and the cold that comes from outside. In addition, they will prevent the air from circulating too much, which will reduce heat loss.
- The stores dedicated to home care sell magnetic regulators for the diffusion of hot air that allow you to use the heat in the most efficient way possible, avoiding heating the rooms you never use.
- In the rooms you use, make sure all hot air vents are open, especially when the plumbing pipes are frozen. Make sure that cold air does not return to heated rooms (you can block cold drafts with furniture and carpets), this way you will have more efficient heat management.
Step 7. Spread out a rug or rag
Both will prevent heat from escaping through the floor. Compared to stone or wood, they will generally also be warmer to the touch, providing a warmer surface to walk on.
Step 8. Further insulate the attic and crawl space
Different heat escapes from the attic, as warm air rises and cold air falls. Make sure your attic is sufficiently insulated.
Step 9. Build a fire to warm yourself
If you have a fireplace, you can heat your house by lighting a fire. Even if you don't have a fireplace, you can always consider buying one. Always remember to keep the burning flames under control.
Step 10. Kitchen
- Make some cookies or a cake. The heat of the oven will dry out the humidity in the air and heat the kitchen environment. The kitchen will be hot plus you will have earned yourself a fantastic meal!
- When you're done, leave the oven door open to allow some heat to spread around the house. Do not leave the oven on for more than 10-20 minutes to avoid wasting too much current.
- Limit cooking that produces a lot of steam, you will only increase the level of humidity in the air. During the winter, reducing humidity helps us stay warmer. Water vapor (humidity), compared to dry air, has a greater heat capacity (ability to absorb heat). As a result, during the winter, humid air appears colder than dry and requires greater amounts of heat to become pleasant.
Step 11. Light a candle, it will produce a large amount of heat, but remember to place it in a safe place and keep an eye on it
In shopping malls, you can get many at very low prices.
Use a "Candle Stove". Even if it is not as effective as a fireplace or a real stove, it manages to create some heat in an economical way
Step 12. Turn on some incandescent bulbs
The bulb of this type of lamp generates up to 95% of its energy in heat rather than the actual lighting, making it an excellent source of heat.
Fluorescent lamps and LED lights aren't useful for heating your room, so use them on hot days and invest the money you save to pay your heating bill
Part 2 of 3: Staying Warm in a Colder Home
Step 1. Make hot drinks
Drinking hot drinks will raise your body temperature. The process can be relaxing and stimulating. Make a cup of coffee, tea, or sip hot broth.
Step 2. Put on warm clothing
The hat will be your number one ally when it gets cold. A large percentage of body heat loss occurs right in the head area, therefore, it is absolutely crucial to keep it warm. Dress in layers, preferring wool or cotton. Put on your slippers or warm socks. Turtlenecks also work wonders. If you are sitting, wrap a thick blanket around you.
If you have cold legs, you might want to buy two pairs of black, opaque tights to wear over each other under your clothes. Men can use long underwear instead of socks
Step 3. Stay in the smaller rooms
If, for example, your bedroom is much smaller than the living room, you can also use it as a living room.
Step 4. Exercise
20 minutes of intense exercise will keep you warm even after the session is over. As if this weren't enough, a healthy body generally tolerates the cold better.
Be active. Moving will produce heat! The more active you are, the better your circulation will be, which means that blood will also reach your fingers and toes, keeping them warm
Step 5. Find a friend or pet to curl up with
The living body of a warm-blooded living being is itself a furnace. Hug your cat or dog to keep each other warm.
Step 6. Use a hair dryer
Warm up the heat-sensitive areas of your body, or your cold shoes or clothes before putting them on. You could also use it to warm your bed before getting under the covers. Avoid covering it, it could overheat and cause a fire.
Step 7. Sit on a 50 watt heat cushion
Rather than heating your entire house or room, you could sit on a low-powered warm pillow. It is possible to build it independently:
- Use a hot water bottle. Excellent solution to warm your hands or pelvis while sitting; you can also put it under the covers at the foot of the bed.
- Thermal socks or small homemade "pillows" filled with rice, corn or dried beans left for one minute in the microwave can be used as a warm bed warmer or pillow.
Step 8. Buy a thick robe and use it as a huge warm blanket with sleeves
The dressing gowns are comfortable and can even be used for sleeping!
Step 9. Go on a trip or vacation
Purposefully spend time in a heated place at the expense of others: library, church, a friend's house, etc.
Step 10. Consider buying an electric blanket
An electric blanket can keep you warm and comfortable at night and is cheaper than an old wall radiator.
Step 11. Buy a winter sleeping bag
You don't have to be camping to use a sleeping bag: a winter one, which protects against freezing temperatures, can keep you warm even indoors. Roll out your sleeping bag on the bed to stay calm and isolated all night.
Part 3 of 3: Preventive Measures
Step 1. Evaluate and plan
Think about how you ended up in this situation. If it's an energy emergency, these tips will help you in the short term. However, if you live without heating because you can't afford it, or because you don't have the money to pay for a repair, you should start saving for such problems. Pay yourself first so you can deal with any future emergencies. Don't leave yourself in the cold.
Step 2. If you can't afford heating, get in touch with the energy company to find a suitable payment plan for you or inquire to find a way to get the service for free through the local government
Advice
- If you feel too cold when you try to fall asleep, try improvising a tent over your bed. Your own breath will heat the inside of the tent very quickly. Four-poster beds were created for good reason.
- Sleep in your socks!
- Take a hot shower or bath and sprinkle some moisturizing oil or lotion on your skin when you go out - it will be like putting on another layer of clothing.
- Try putting your head under a blanket for a minute. It may sound bizarre, but your breath will warm you up in no time!
- If you have small children, ask a relative or friend for hospitality. Exposing children to cold can be dangerous.
- Use small fans and place them near the radiators to circulate the warm air in the room, so they can heat more efficiently.
- Go to bed wearing a thermal hat, especially if you are bald or have short hair. Your chest, head and face are particularly sensitive to changes in heat, a hat is essential in a cold home.
Warnings
- Heating methods that cause increased humidity levels (bathtub, humidifier, etc.) could cause mold and condensation problems. Check regularly behind furniture against walls or around windows.
- Remember that if there is little air in a room, the chances of an increase in carbon monoxide levels increase, especially if you use natural gas or propane. Install a carbon monoxide detector, in case you don't already have one. If you have one, check it regularly.
