9 Winter Sustainable Heating Tips

Home heating accounts for about 40% of our energy consumption with about 95% of that amount coming from non-renewable energy resources. We have come up with nine simple tips to help you stay warm and cozy at home with minimal impact to the environment.

1) Reuse oven heat

You can continue to take advantage of the heat after you’re done baking and once the oven is turned off. Just leave the oven door slightly open to help warm up the kitchen. Never leave an oven turned on to heat a space.

2) Skip the fireplace

Fireplaces are often beautiful focal points and create a cozy ambience, but they are not always energy efficient. A gas fire place could use up more energy than central heating.

3) Keep the thermostat low

Challenge yourself to set the temperature one or two degrees lower each year. Keeping it at 55 degrees at night and 60 during the day is a common energy efficient setting. Do not set it too low or turn it off completely, as this could cause pipes to burst and hypothermia.

4) Keep the temperature steady

Turning off heat when you leave or more than 5-8 degrees lower at night than during the day can cause your unit to work harder to try and warm the place back up. Pick a nice steady range instead. A programmable thermostat will help keep the temperature in your home. Check with your community team members to see if programmable thermostats are able to be installed in your apartment.

5) Consider a space heater

In some cases; running a small space heater may be more efficient to heat a small room than running a central heating system.

6) Hang heavy curtains

Hanging heavy curtains around your windows help add an extra layer of protection against cold air. In addition, hanging heavy curtains around your bed could help insulate your body at night. Check with your community before hanging curtains on your ceiling.

7) Place rugs in high traffic areas

Placing rugs on tile, linoleum and wood floors can also help with insulation.

8) Allow yourself to acclimate and keep yourself acclimated

As the weather changes, keep the window open to allow your body to acclimate naturally to the changing weather. Avoid using too much heat while you are driving.

9) Dress for the season

To stay warm, consider investing in flannel sheets, pajamas and wool sweaters rather than raising the thermostat. 

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