Keep your home cozy without cranking up the heat this winter with these simple tips and tricks.
17 Tips and Hacks to Help Keep Your House Warm This Winter
Updated on Feb. 06, 2024
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Keep Radiators and Registers Unobstructed
If furniture blocks the radiators, you’re blocking heat from getting into the room. Move the couch away from the radiator, and the room should warm up faster. The same goes for air registers in a forced-air system. The system can’t draw in enough air or put enough out if return or supply registers are covered with a rug or furniture.
“This means your space will never get to the temperature you want because it can’t find enough air to do so,” Smith says.
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Use Rugs
Area rugs not only add style to a room but are also an easy way to warm your house in the winter. Rugs help block drafts and cold air from escaping through the floor and keep your feet warm over tile or hardwood flooring. This helps maintain a more consistent room temperature, keeping warm in and cold air out. Opt for thicker wool rugs for optimum coziness.
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Are the Dampers Open?
Some ductwork contains dampers to adjust airflow. Look for handles and markings on the ductwork such as ‘summer’ and ‘winter.’ Set the damper handle parallel to the duct line for maximum airflow.
“They’re designed to have proper air flow for proper operation,” Smith says. “Without it, the system is less efficient.”
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Use Foil
If you have a radiator attached to an external wall, use aluminum foil behind it. The foil’s reflective nature will prevent heat from disappearing through the wall and instead reflect it back into the room. For a more durable solution, you can also cut a thin piece of sheet metal and slide it behind the radiator.
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Try a Fireplace Plug
You can lose up to 20 percent of your home’s warm air through leaks in a loose fireplace damper, leading to higher energy bills. A fireplace draft stopper is an easy solution to seal the flue and keep that warm air inside. Fireplace plugs come in various sizes, so it’s important to measure your fireplace opening carefully to ensure you choose the right size for the best seal.
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Is the Furnace Filter Filthy?
Clogged or dirty furnace filters are among the most common causes of heating issues. When the filter becomes blocked with dust and debris, it restricts airflow, forcing the system to work harder and reducing its efficiency. Simply replacing or cleaning the filter often solves the problem by restoring proper airflow to the system. Check the filter monthly and replace it every 1 to 3 months, depending on usage.
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Grab a Hot Water Bottle
Tired of getting into a cold bed at night? Fill a hot water bottle (with hot water, of course!) and place it underneath your blanket at the foot of your bed. You’ll be surprised at how warm it keeps your feet. This is one of my kids’ favorite tricks for keeping warm during cold winter nights. While it doesn’t keep your entire home warm, this is one way to increase the cozy factor of an otherwise chilly bedroom.
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Duct-Booster Fans
If you have forced-air heat, duct booster fans can help increase airflow to problem rooms. These fans are installed near the duct outlet, and a pressure switch (or built-in sensor) is used to turn them on when the furnace runs. A register booster fan is easier to install, replacing or sitting on a floor or wall register. It plugs into an outlet and costs between $40 and $70.
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Close the Curtains
Opening curtains during the day lets in natural sunlight to warm your home, but closing them at night helps trap that heat inside. Use thick, thermal curtains to provide an extra layer of insulation to trap heat inside your home.
For even more efficiency, try adding draft stoppers to window sills. For especially drafty windows, add window shrink film to create an airtight seal that can be easily removed in the spring.
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Leave the Oven Door Open
After baking, I like to leave the oven door open to let the heat warm up the kitchen. It’s a great way to use the heat I’ve already paid for. Of course, I make sure to do this safely — never if I have children, pets or elderly guests around, unless the kitchen is securely closed off. It’s one of my favorite tips for adding extra warmth with no extra cost.
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Try Plastic Wrap with Air Pockets
Plastic bubble wrap is more than just a packing material — it can be a great way to reduce your heating bill too. Tape bubble wrap over windows you don’t use or need to see out of to add an extra layer of insulation. The bubbles trap air, helping to keep warm air inside and cold air out. It’s an easy, inexpensive way to improve your home’s energy efficiency during colder months.
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Use Shower Steam
When showering, leave the bathroom door open if possible. The hot steam will travel throughout the house this way and can reduce the dryness of winter air. I do this with my dishwasher, too. Once it finishes a wash cycle, I leave the door open, releasing the steamy air into the kitchen.
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Reverse Ceiling Fans
If you have ceiling fans, reverse their direction so they spin clockwise during the colder months. This helps push warm air that’s risen to the ceiling back down to where it’s needed. It’s an easy and energy-efficient way to keep your home warmer without turning up the heat. Just make sure to adjust the fan speed to a low setting, as too high of a speed can cause a draft and feel chilly.
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Cut Down on Mini Drafts
You can lose a lot of warm air through mail slots and doggy doors. When possible, keep these areas covered. You can use a wool blanket to plug an animal door or even an old towel to close up a mail slot when the temperature really drops.
Weatherstripping should be added around doors and windows, and storm door sweeps and door draft blockers should be added to the bottoms of exterior doors.
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Radiant Floor Heat
If you’re already in the market for a remodel, consider radiant floor heating, whether electric or hydronic. “Radiant heat is more stable,” Martin says. It heats everything in the room, including the floor and the furniture. It’s not like forced air, where it heats the air, and the temperature can change very quickly.” Radiant flooring can be surprisingly DIY-friendly, so it can be an easy way to add another heat source to your home.
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Try a Shelf
Placing a shelf over a radiator or heater can help redirect heat into the room, improving warmth distribution. The shelf prevents heat from rising straight up, pushing it outward instead. However, it’s important to leave enough space between the shelf and the radiator for proper airflow — too little clearance can actually reduce efficiency. Use heat-resistant materials like metal or treated wood, and avoid placing anything flammable above the radiator.
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Use Space Heaters
Space heaters are a great way to stay warm this winter, especially if you spend most of your time in one or two rooms. By using a space heater, you can keep the rest of your home at a lower thermostat setting for energy savings. I love oil-filled radiators for their consistent heat, but there are many energy-efficient options available. Features like timers, adjustable settings, and safety shut-offs make them safe and efficient, but always follow the manufacturer’s safety guidelines.
Ways to Save Energy and Still Stay Warm During Winter
Whether you’re battling rising heating costs or simply looking for cozy winter solutions, these tips will help you stay warm and save energy.
- Why Are Heating Bills Increasing This Winter?
- Ways to Cut Your Heating Bills
- Simple Tricks to Keep Your House Warm All Winter
- DIY Projects to Keep Your House Warm This Winter
- Ways to Warm Up a Cold Room That Actually Work
- How to Keep Your House Warm During a Power Outage
- Best Ways to Heat a Garage In the Winter
- How to Save on Heating Costs In an Apartment
- Heating Myths You Need to Stop Believing
- Simple Heating and Air Conditioning Fixes
- Why You Shouldn’t Close Off Vents to Save Money in the Winter
- This Fan Trick Can Keep Your House Warm All Winter
About the Experts
- Rick Martin is the owner of Radiant Floor Company in Barton, Vermont. The company designs, builds and ships radiant flooring systems for homeowners and contractors.
- Joshua Smith is operations manager at Berkshire Heating and Air Conditioning in West Springfield, Massachusetts. He has more than 20 years of HVAC experience and currently holds a Massachusetts Oil Burner and Refrigeration License.
