Generally speaking, heating an apartment isn’t all that difficult. After all, how hard is it to crank up the thermostat until the mercury is bubbling along in the high eighties? Of course, just because something is easy, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s a good idea. And while it may seem like a fun diversion from the snow and sleet outside to turn your apartment into a live-in sauna, the cost of doing so is likely a bit prohibitive. Even with warmer winter weather expected throughout the United States for the end of 2015 and the beginning of 2016, the average total cost of heating a home through the winter months in this country is hovering around $1000. And although apartments are generally smaller, and thus less expensive to heat than houses, there’s simply no denying that keeping your living space warm from November through February can be an expensive endeavor.
So, let’s start thinking outside the box.
Don’t touch that thermostat dial, because we’ve compiled a list of five helpful and inexpensive tips, tricks, and ideas on how you can save big while staying toasty in your apartment:
Dress warmly. It’s nice to be able to come in from the cold, shed a layer or two of outdoors clothing, and enjoy some climate-controlled comfort. However, when trying to stay warm, body heat is your best friend, and the best way to conserve your body heat is by trapping it with clothing. Does that mean that you’ll have to keep yourself bundled up in a jacket, scarf, earmuffs, and mittens even when relaxing in your own apartment? No, not necessarily. There are many different coverings that are much more pleasant and cozy, but that can still give you that added bit of insulation that you’ll need to stave off the chills. Invest in thermal undergarments, thick socks, warm house-slippers, and maybe a thick robe or pajama set, and get a few thick blankets to place on couches and chairs so that you’ll have something to snuggle under while reading or watching television. Remember: Your own body heat is renewable, efficient, and free, so take as much advantage of it as you can.
Shut unused rooms and vents. The heat that you pump into your apartment doesn’t really care where it goes, which means that it’s up to you to ensure that the rooms you spend time in get the most warmth. Any unused rooms, such as guest rooms, storage spaces, etc. should be closed off, and have any vents leading into them shut tight. This will prevent energy from being wasted on heating rooms that don’t need it, and allow you to consolidate your thermostat’s efforts on the areas of your apartment that you regularly use.
Focus on your windows. During certain hours of the day, correctly-facing windows can allow warming sunlight to freely enter a room, thus providing heat and light at absolutely no cost to the occupant. On the other hand, windows generally aren’t well-enough insulated to prevent heat from escaping through them. The trick to getting the most heat from your windows is in finding a way to insulate your windows without blocking the sunlight. This can be done with thick curtains, if you don’t mind having to remember to open and close them throughout the day. Alternatively, window films and rubber weather sealing can be used to provide a second layer of insulation that won’t block the sun, but you may need to consult with your property manager for permission before you begin installation. For a simple, DIY solution that won’t invalidate your rental agreement, get a large roll of bubblewrap (such as is used in packing), cut it to the correct dimensions of your window, spray the surface of the window with a fine layer of water, and then press the bubblewrap against the glass with the bubbled side touching the window surface. As the water dries, the wrap should be held securely in place, but will still come easily free should you decide to remove it.
Cook at home. You have to eat, so you might as well put that natural instinct to good use, and kill two birds with one stone as you do so. By preparing meals at home—specifically by using your oven or stovetop—you’ll be not only saving money by not eating-out, you’ll also be producing excess heat and humidity that will help keep your living space nice and warm. Additionally, home cooked meals are often much more nutritious and balanced than restaurant food, so you’ll be giving your body the right kind of fuel it will need to be able to weather the winter in comfort.
Don’t turn off the heat. It has been estimated that for every degree cooler you set your thermostat in the winter, you can save as much as 1% on your overall heating costs. But while it might seem like a good idea when trying to save money on heating bills to turn your thermostat off completely when leaving home, the truth is that it really is not. For one thing, a heatless apartment could suffer cold-related damage (such as burst water pipes) if the temperature drops too low. But even if that isn’t a concern, understand that it take more energy to heat a freezing cold apartment than it does to heat one that is only moderately cool. If you come home to a heatless apartment, and then decide to crank up the thermostat to its highest setting, you’ll be wasting more energy, and putting more strain on your heating system than you would have if you had only turned the thermostat down a few degrees. So, by all means, turn it down as you leave, but be sure not to turn it off.
When the days get shorter and the cold sets in, it can be an attractive option to just grit your teeth and pay the additional costs of keeping your apartment warm, but be sure that you first consider your other options. With the right know-how and preparation, you can keep yourself feeling warm and happy all the way through to the spring thaw, even if you haven’t got money to burn.