Winter Warmth Tips

I have several things I do to keep myself and my pets warm in the winter without getting heating bills through the roof!

1. Since my home has a fairly large living area and it is wide open, I use a kerosene heater to heat just the space that we spend the most time in (living room). I make sure the ceiling fans are on low and blowing down to circulate the air. Any room that is not being occupied gets closed off.
   Advertisement

   
   

2. I hang a sheer curtain between the living room and the kitchen because the kitchen gets heated up when I cook. Other than cooking, I'm only in there for maybe a minute or two at a time and can stand the cold that long. I put lots of fishing weights in the bottom hem of the curtain to keep it from billowing.

3. For my dogs, I keep an electric blanket spread out on the couch, plugged in and turned to low. I spread a blanket on top of the electric blanket and then give them an afghan to snuggle up under. I keep a smaller one on my recliner for myself with an afghan.

4. For night time for my dogs, I put a small electric blanket on the floor under their bed cushion, turned on low. Then I give them 2 blankets to snuggle up under. I also have my own electric blanket on my bed too.
   Advertisement

   
   

5. I don't like taping up my windows because here in the south, even in winter, we do get a few (if far between) nice days when I can open the house up for a few hours. So I make sure my windows and doors are all insulated as best as I can. But I take down all my heavy drapes and just use sheers and blinds on the windows. That way the sun can come in and help to warm the house up too.

6. When I do cook, when the cooking is done, I leave the oven door open so the heat permeates into the room. I also don't turn the burners off on the stove till the last minute, then allow the heat from them to permeate as they cool.

7. In winter, I lay out as many throw rugs as I can find over as much of the hard floors as possible.

8. While I'm in the tub or shower, I throw my pajamas or clothes (depending if I'm getting up or going to bed) into the dryer to tumble while I'm getting clean. Then I hurry up and put them on while they are still warm from the dryer. Oh! How nice that feels!

Source: Years of trying to stay warm!

By Cricket from Parkton, NC