10 Strange Ways People Stay Warm in their Homes

March 26, 2019

Staying warm in the colder months can be a challenge - even more so in a poorly insulated and leaky home. Many homeowners have taken to more creative methods of staying warm instead of making home improvements, or to help supplement the improvements they have already made.

While insulation and airtightness improvements are quite often the most effective and affordable way for a home to maintain heat and interior comfort levels, they can take some time to install. Whether you are waiting on current improvements, have improvements already lined up, or are still deciding on which improvements to go for, you may benefit from taking a quick look at this list to help you stay warm this winter.

It is worth keeping in mind that investing in airtightness and insulation improvements can significantly increase your home’s overall energy efficiency, saving you money on your monthly utilities bills, and helping you qualify for home renovation rebates from either Union Gas or Enbridge.

Without further ado, here are 10 strange ways people stay warm in their homes…

1. Put Pool Noodles in the Way of Drafts and Under Doors

Pool noodles can double as cheap insulation in a pinch. If you notice a draft around a door or a window, you can secure a pool noodle to help prevent cold air from intruding and/or hot from escaping. This can serve as a somewhat effective fix until you are able to make proper airtightness improvements. More and more homeowners are taking advantage of this simple DIY - and it’s not like the pool noodles are seeing much use in the winter anyway!

2. Slow Cook a Delicious Meal

Soups, stews, and other slow cooked meals can help provide a little extra heat and humidity for your home, while also leaving you with a delicious dinner that will warm up your body temperature while you eat it. Boiling water for tea can also help add some humidity during the dry winter months. For a more permanent solution to humidity issues, a Home Energy Assessment can clearly show you what could be done.

3. Host a Party or a Social Gathering

Having friends or family over for a meal or a party is a fantastic way to keep your home lively, entertaining, and well-heated. Using the stove or the oven to cook will help produce some heat, but any large gathering of people will help keep a home warm from their collective body heat. Homeowners who have already made significant airtightness and insulation improvements may want to turn the furnace off just before everyone arrives, otherwise it may get too warm too quickly.

4. Bundled-up Dancing

Many people would agree that dancing carefree at home is one of life’s simple pleasures; however it is also a fun way to stay warm. The next time you find yourself grooving to your favourite tunes, it might be worth tossing on an extra layer of loose fitting clothing and hitting the hallways like they are your own personal dance studio - just remember to stay hydrated and keep an eye on your body temperature!

5. Become a Blanket Burrito

Getting out of bed can be a challenge - especially in a cold home with even colder floors. To avoid this, you could bring part of your bed with you everywhere you go. Simply lay at one end of your thickest blanket or duvet, grab the side, and roll yourself towards the far side of the blanket until you are completely encircled by warmth and fluffiness. Your mobility might be slightly limited, so it is advisable to avoid stairs and to put on warm socks before you fully commit to becoming a blanket burrito.

6. Strategically Place Electronic Devices

Many common electronics emit a considerable amount of heat from everyday use, such as: televisions, desktop and laptop computers, and game consoles. By placing these electronics away from air leaks or areas of poor insulation, such as windows or doors, you can help conserve some of the heat they produce, and use it to make your home more comfortable while you stay thoroughly entertained.

7. Move Furniture to Warmer Areas - Away from Walls, Windows and Leaks

Walls, windows, and other areas where air can leak (such as electrical sockets), can cause your furniture to feel colder and less welcoming if they are sitting too close. To combat this, some homeowners huddle their furniture towards the centre of the room in the colder months. If your home is experiencing significant cool air drafts, it may be worth looking into an Airtightness Test to catch the real culprits (drafty windows and a lack of insulation in your walls) after moving your furniture.

8. Sleep with a Flannel Shirt (Canada, eh?)

Flannel is a great insulator and often readily available in the closet of the average Canadian. If your flannel sheets are in the wash or you have yet to buy some, you could throw on your nearest flannel shirt and jump into bed like you normally do. This will help keep you warm throughout the night and make it easier for you to get up in the cold morning.

9. Cook with the Oven and Leave it Open After

From an energy efficiency standpoint this is rather undesirable to do consistently, but the oven in your kitchen can help keep your home heated in necessary circumstances, such as if your furnace breaks; and during its daily use. After you finish cooking your food, leave the oven door open slightly to allow the heat to slowly escape. You can also use a small fan to help spread the warm air around the room.

10. Eat Spicy Foods

As it gets colder, some homeowners turn up the heat in the kitchen to help them gain a greater appreciation for the frosty weather. For those who can handle the burn, it might be worth looking into a diet consisting of spicier foods to help you feel warmer during the cold months. After all, it is pretty hard to feel cold when eating a spicy dish!

Feel A Real Difference with Airtightness and Insulation Improvements

Your home should feel comfortable and enjoyable to live in. Here at GNI, we are proud to be Ontario’s insulation leader since 1980, helping homeowners and business owners alike feel more comfortable at home for a lower utility cost.

By making insulation and airtightness improvements, your home can become noticeably more comfortable and less drafty, have better air quality, and even have a higher market value due to its desirable level of energy efficiency. Attic insulation improvements are often the most cost-effective way for a home to become more comfortable and energy efficient, while also being affordable and applicable for home renovation rebates.  

Contact us today to schedule a time for a Free In-Home Assessment, or to speak with one of GNI’s Customer Care Representatives.