February is considered one of the coldest months of the year and with the cost of living constantly rising, it is harder to stay warm on a budget. There are few simple things that we can do to keep our homes warm in a sustainable and cost-effective way.
The recommended temperature to keep your home is between 18°C and 21°C. You might be tempted to turn up your heater when the next winter storm hits Toronto, but the first thing you should do is check for any draughts.
Balcony doors and windows are known heat “thieves”, just run your hand by them and see if you feel the cold. Some of the draughts can be fixed by renewing the doors’ and the windows’ caulking. A simple work order with your landlord can help you with that, but you can go further. Foam style insulating tape is found in many stores and can be used as a renter friendly solution.
Another thing that you might want to consider is both stylish and effective. Using heavier curtains will add an additional level of insulation to your home. For the full benefit, keep your curtains open during the hours of the day when the sun is shining and close them at night. By letting the sunshine in you are benefiting from the free solar heat and by closing them you are keeping the heat inside.
On top of the temperature, humidity levels can make us feel colder or warmer. We feel colder in dry environments and having some moisture in the air is going to keep the heat in the room longer. You could buy a humidifier to keep those humidity levels just right, but you don’t have to. There are many ways to do that in an earth and pocket friendly way. Here are some: keep your house plants watered, leave your bathroom door open and let the warm humid air out or bring your laundry to dry inside. You get bonus points with the last one, your home will smell great.
After all the hard work prepping your home, have a hot beverage under a warm blanket with your loved ones. There is nothing better than that on a cold winter day.
