Stay Warm Without Raising the Thermostat

It’s been a long, cold winter, and according to The Weather Channel, we’ve got more snowy days ahead. Here are a few tips to help you finish out the winter without having to raise the thermostat:

1. Reverse your ceiling fans ­– using the same circulation principle as a convection oven, reversing your ceiling fans at a low speed will help pull the cold air up from the ground and replace it with the warm air that would otherwise be hovering near your ceiling.
2. Dress in layers – it’s actually better to wear several thin, warm layers rather than one bulky layer. Not only will this insulate you better, but it’ll also enable you to more easily regulate your body temperature by adding or removing layers.
3. Leave your oven open after you bake – this is obviously not a great idea if you have small children, but if you don’t, this is a good way to put that extra hot air to work warming your home.
4. Drink something warm – not a fan of coffee? That’s fine. Hot chocolate, tea or cider will do the trick just fine.
5. Wear a hat – most of us have been told that we lose up to half of our body heat through our heads. While that’s simply not true, we can lose up to ten percent of our body heat that way. Keep that heat in by wearing a close-fitting knit cap.
6. Use a humidifier – humid air tends to feel warmer than dry air. Use a humidifier in the room in which you spend most of your time.
7. Wear thick socks or slippers – your blood loses heat as it travels to and from your extremities. Keeping those extremities warm is a great way to warm up your entire body.
8. Check your heat vents – if your heat vents are covered by furniture, then they’re not doing you any good. Also, it’s a great idea to close the heat vents in rooms you don’t use to help save energy.