While the calendar shows we are closer to spring than to winter, we are still not out of the woods when in comes to low temperatures. Additionally, recent years have brought more and more extreme weather events. Most recently, Winter Storm Landon swept through the Rockies to the Plains, and from the Midwest and to the Northeast, and brought widespread snow, sleet and freezing rain.
The low temperature, coupled with the sharp rise in natural gas and electricity costs, mean that households are expected to pay more for heating compared to the same period of previous years. But although it is a bit trickier to make significant changes when renting an apartment, some adjustments can be made to help you reduce heat loss. Here are a few low-cost and easy-to-implement ideas to cut down on your bills and make your space cozier:
- Check for possible issues around the rental apartment. Arguably, the most important step is to make sure everything is ready for the cold season. This includes inspecting walls, windows, water heaters, thermometers and radiators. If any problem arises during the cold season, contact your property management company as soon as possible.
- Invest in some thick rugs. Adding a few rugs around your apartment can both have aesthetic and practical results. They can make walking around your space during the winter much more pleasant, but it can also help reduce the amount of heat loss by up to almost 10 percent.
- Choose thermal curtains. These are made of a special insulated fabric and can reduce heat loss from your windows by almost 25 percent. Additionally, they can block chilly drafts coming from your windows and help maintain a cozy atmosphere in your home.
- Move furniture pieces that block radiators. Rearranging large pieces such as sofas, potted plants and armchairs that are in front of your radiators and absorb part of the heat will help prevent heat losses. It will also make the space warm up faster and more evenly.
- Keep the doors and unused radiators closed. Be aware of the space you are actually using in the apartment. Empty guest bedrooms can pointlessly use up heating. Turning off the radiator in those unoccupied rooms can help decrease heat loss. Also, keep doors closed around the apartment as this will help avoid cold air moving around and will contain the heat in the room you’re currently occupying.
- Stock up on hot beverages. Whether you prefer coffee, tea, hot chocolate or other warm drinks, make sure you have them available for an instant boost of coziness.
