Many people don’t know how to reduce their energy bill and end up spending an arm and a leg each month. There are many methods to keep the heat in your apartment and your cash in your pocket.
Learn how to insulate your apartment for pennies on the dollar so you can spend more of your hard-earned cash on the people you care about this winter!
Fix Broken Windows, Holed Walls, and Cracked Seals
Windows are one of the main sources of heat loss in an apartment, particularly in older buildings. Sealing your windows properly for the winter can help you save on your energy bill.
If your landlord doesn’t provide window sealing equipment, ask if they do or if you can do it yourself. It’s not expensive to seal windows with plastic wrap and tape.
You can even use a hair dryer to make sure the plastic wrap is tight, and your windows are ready for the cold.
Stuff Blankets or Pillows in the Windows if You Must
Even if you seal your windows with plastic wrap, cold air can still get through. Installing heavy curtains can help insulate your apartment.
Keep in mind that it’s also a good idea to open your curtains during the day to let the sun heat your apartment. For the best results, seal your windows with plastic wrap and hang thick curtains.
If you need a temporary solution, you can use a big pillow or thick blanket to block drafts from coming in through your windows.
Soften Cold, Hard Floors with a Rug
Rugs are not just for decoration; they can also keep your feet warm during the cold winter months. Even luxury apartments with beautiful hardwood floors can get chilly in the winter.
To keep your high-traffic floors warm, add a thick rug pad and place a rug on top. Not only will this keep your floor warm, but it will also help soundproof your apartment from noise from upstairs neighbors.
Turn the Heat Down and Layer Up
When you plan to be away from home for a few hours, it’s a good idea to turn your heat down to 40 degrees Fahrenheit. This will help you save money on your energy bill without risking your pipes freezing.
While it’s important to keep your apartment above freezing during the winter, there’s no need to keep it warm when you’re not there. By turning down your thermostat, but not turning it off, you can save money on your heating costs this winter.
Likewise, instead of turning up the heat, but on appropriate clothes. If it’s 30 degrees outside, you should wear pants and a long sleeve, not shorts and a t-shirt.
Use Flannel Sheets and a Thick Comforter During the Winter
If you often feel cold while sleeping, one solution is to invest in warm bedding and keep your apartment thermostat low at night.
Instead of relying on your heating to keep you warm, use thick sheets, blankets, comforters, or quilts to keep warm without incurring additional heating costs.
Don’t Waste Energy Heating Up Empty Spaces
If you’re not using a certain area of your apartment, there’s no need to waste money heating it. Instead, use a space heater to keep specific rooms or spaces warm.
For example, you could plug in a space heater when you get home from work and unplug it before going to bed to keep your bedroom warm.
This way, you can keep your thermostat set at a steady 40 degrees Fahrenheit and only heat the areas of your apartment that you’re using.
Locate Your Heating Ducts
It’s common to furnish an apartment while it’s still warm outside, only to find that once winter comes, there are no heating vents visible. Furniture such as couches and chairs can often be positioned overheating vents, blocking the flow of heat.
To ensure your apartment is heated evenly and to reduce the risk of fire hazards, move your furniture around so that heating vents are not blocked. This will not only protect you from fire hazards, but it will also improve the heating in your apartment and help you save money on your energy bill.
Learn more apartment living tips and tricks in our blog!
