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July 3, 2019

37 Comments

Aussies – we pretty much don’t believe that winter exists! Even those of us that live in cooler states go along with the belief that winter is a myth and we’re genuinely surprised when it’s cold.

In fact, most of us refuse to even set our houses up for the cold.

But, when that cold does creep up on us, we wish we’d thought about it sooner, even if it only lasts for one day (or 6 weeks… or whatever, it’ll be over soon). Is there anyone that wants to shiver through it?

Not me! But I also don’t want to be hit with a huge power bill come Spring …

So, I did some research and found out there are simple, cost effective ways you can help keep the cold OUT and your home nice and toasty during the winter.

Here are 10 tips to warm your home on a budget:

1. Seal up any drafts

Grab yourself a cute door snake – there are some gorgeous and cheap ones around. Just pop into your local bargain retailer (like we need another excuse to go to Kmart?!) and take a look around the homewares section. There is sure to be a cheap and on trend piece for you!

2. Change your fans to winter mode

Didn’t realise ceiling fans had this option? Me neither, but hey, we all know heat rises and I was very surprised to find there is a winter setting on your fan which pushes the heat BACK DOWN to keep you nice and warm.

3. Scent it up

Scents and smells impact you more than you think. Why not add in a Glade® Sense & Spray® fragrance – you could cosy up your home with warming scent of Sheer Vanilla Embrace wrapped with notes of sweet florals and white woods.

4. Invest in some gorgeous curtains

They’re not just for decoration, there is a super practical use for curtains… they both keep the warmth in AND out in the warmer months! Don’t forget to open up the curtains during the day to let in light and outside warmth, then close those bad boys up again at around 4pm.

5. Add a rug, or two

For any hard floors a rug will keep you and your tootsies that little bit warmer. Again, head into your local bargain retailer to snap up an on trend new rug for your floors.

6. Layer up

You know … socks, singlets, leggings under trackies. Yes, I know, this one is pretty obvious, but it’s simple and cheap and think of just how funny this can actually be.

via GIPHY

7. Keep the oven door open

Once you’ve finished baking your masterpiece that the kids will complain about, keep the door to your oven open and use that extra heat to warm up the room that extra little bit. WARNING be vigilant when it comes to kids and pets with this one.

8. Use timers or apps to control heating and appliances

These days it’s all about technology, so make sure you use it to your advantage. Set timers to come on early in the morning for things like air conditioners (reverse cycle of course), get them to heat up the house in off peak electricity times (say, 3am) and then turn off as you start to get moving in the morning. Set a timer on the dryer to start in off peak times – you’ll thank us for this tip when your next electricity bill arrives.

If you have older appliances it could be worth your while outlaying some funds to update. Yes it’s money out now, but the savings will add up with appliances becoming more energy efficient by the day.

9. Style it up

Give your home a boost of warmth by adding or changing a few of your soft furnishings. Think luxurious velvet pillows for the couch and gorgeous chunky throws for the end of the bed. Don’t forget that richer colours often give a feel of warmth (navy, deep greens etc.) – a few little clever design ideas could have you feeling nice and cosy.

10. Don’t go crazy on the temperature settings

If you’re using a heater or reverse cycle air conditioner it is tempting to turn it all the way up and give the house a blast, but unfortunately this will also give your power bill a blast. If you keep it at an average temperature, you’ll heat the house steadily (maybe encourage everyone to pop an extra jumper on while it warms up) and your energy bill will be a little kinder to you!

Do you have any tips and tricks to help warm your home on a budget? SHARE with us in the comments below!

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  • Winter is very short for us here in QLD but I do have the door snakes and have always used them.

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  • Pretty sure I do all these, living in Tassie it gets chilly here in winter. We have a wood heater to help keep things warm too

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  • These are amazing ideas i love them

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  • I love these ideas. We also like our daughter in a sleep suit so she can still walk around but saves needing to put on a heater as well

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  • Keeping the oven door open after cooking is one tip I’ve used for a while. I don’t run a heater overnight for me (do in my kids rooms as regularly get -5 nights) but it seemed such a waste of heat to close the oven door. And it’s actually great as our bathroom is near the kitchen, so if a butter cold night & cooking dinner, leaving the oven door open really heats the bathroom quite a bit. And I can enjoy a shower after kids are in bed & not dread the bathroom chill!

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  • Investing in solar and making the most of the sun each day, are my tips to heating the house whilst saving money.

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  • A couple of new tips I’ll definitely try. Our electricity bill is through the roof during Winter

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  • These are great ideas!

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  • My dad always pulled curtains earlier to lock in any heat. This being N.Z. And he’d say put on more clothes. Beanies thick jumpers. FRiends had fire burning and in tee shirts. While my dad adjusting temp to down on heater. Haha! The conservative and yes money saving! NOW they have gas heater looks like fireplace and I’m glad they’re very warm in older age while we froze! Haha.

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  • My mum always said that cold winters days are the perfect days to bake. Not only do you warm the house but I smells incredible, especially after baking mums special apple pie…yum!

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  • Another important tip is keep doors closed so each room keeps warm and the warm air does not all go out into the hallway.

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  • Some great tips that I will definitely be implementing. Our house is always cold and I would love to save money where possible.

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  • We have snuggle blankets on the lounge during winter

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  • I didnt know fans had that option… awesome.

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  • We have settings on our heater so it’s on at certain times of the day. I’m also for creating an ambience that feels warmer of salt lamps and candles. And I’ve loved the new textures and colours of throw rugs this season, having purchased a few!!

    Reply

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