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Winter months can be challenging for those who live in cold climates. The lack of sunlight and the cold temperatures make it difficult to stay warm without turning up the heat. The following suggestions will help you enjoy your home during the colder months while reducing emissions that contribute to climate change.
Portable Heaters
Many people cannot afford or have access to new floor heating units or heat pumps. In these cases, you can use electric portable heaters. Unlike older models, most modern options are made of low-emitting materials and will not contribute harmful emissions to your home's indoor air quality. You can use some of these more recent models as a cooling system during the hot summer months.
Advanced Windows
During the winter, you can use advanced double-pane windows to prevent heat loss. These types of windows will not only increase your comfort, but they will also reduce the need for heating systems or other options. As a result, you can reduce the number of harmful emissions produced by your home appliances while still staying warm during the cold winter months.
Radiant Heating
Radiant heaters, a popular type of floor heating, use electricity or natural gas to produce warm air circulated throughout your home. Although they can be costly and require regular maintenance, newer models are more efficient than older options. Also, most of them produce zero emissions while keeping you warm during the cold winter months.
Insulate Your Home Properly
While most people focus on insulating their homes in the summer, it is also critical to do so in the winter. The majority of heat loss occurs through cracks and openings in the structure of your home. As a result, adding insulation can significantly reduce the amount of energy required to heat your home.
Invest in Heat Pumps
Despite their high cost, heat pumps are one of the most efficient ways to stay warm without increasing your emissions. These clean heating systems extract heat from the surrounding environment and pump it into your home using electricity. As a result, you can significantly reduce your use of harmful energy sources such as natural gas while remaining warm during the cold winter months.
Cover Your Windows with Heavy Curtains During Winter
Cold air can enter your home through cracks in window frames and other openings during the winter. As a result, consider covering your windows with heavy curtains to keep the cold air out. Keeping these areas covered can help to reduce heat loss while also maintaining furniture and floors warmer in the winter.
Close All Rooms Not In Use
During the winter, you should also try to close off any rooms in your home that are not in use. This will enable you to retain more heat while decreasing cold spots. Keep in mind that this can be difficult for pets, who prefer to move freely from one room to the next. If necessary, consider keeping them in a single warm area to avoid leaving them out in the cold.
Consider Installing Wood Floors
There is one more option for those who want to reduce their reliance on energy-intensive heating systems. According to Energy Vanguard, wood floors have some unexpected benefits during the cold winter months.
They can, for example, reduce heat loss through your flooring by up to 80% when compared to standard home flooring. Furthermore, some newer wood floors are eco-friendlier and more durable than older options.
Invest in IoT-Connected Sensors and Intelligent systems
Many new IoT-connected sensors and intelligent systems can reduce your emissions while keeping you warm during the winter months. Smart thermostats, for example, optimize heating levels in your home by utilizing wireless technology.
Their linked sensors can also detect the number of people in a room and adjust accordingly. This enables them to understand your heating needs without wasting energy or reducing the amount of heat available.
Check for Forced Air Leaks
If all else fails, look for forced air leaks around doors, windows, vents, ducts, and other structural elements in your home. These leaks can reduce the amount of heating your forced air system provides while also raising your energy bills. As a result, you should check for these leaks regularly to ensure that they are not causing problems.
Keep Warm and Toasty with Clean Heating
Clean heating is one of the simplest ways to save energy while staying warm in the winter. Most importantly, it does not necessitate any additional expenditures or efforts because you can use the same appliances you already own in a cleaner, more efficient manner.
Authors Bio: Sierra Powell
Sierra Powell graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a major in Mass Communications and a minor in Writing. When she's not writing, she loves to cook, sew, and go hiking with her dogs.
