Whether you are looking to retreat after a grand New Year celebration or simply planning to spend a snowy holiday with books, movies, and board games, being snug and warm in bed is more of a necessity than a luxury that everyone deserves. But you don’t have to overspend on the heating bills and still compromise the warmth of the room! The good news is, there are hacks to keep your bedroom warm in winter so that you don’t have to rely solely on your HVAC system. From blackout window curtains to blanket fill power, we bring you seven proven tips that you can implement easily to keep your bedroom toasty warm in winter without the need to crank up the thermostat or fear hefty bills.
1. Draught-proof the Bedroom
Don’t underestimate the small cracks and gaps in your bedroom, even the tiniest ones can let cold air inside and replace your precious warmth! You can draught-proof your bedroom by finding the cracks and gaps easily with a light source. Position a flashlight or candle on the other side and check for its light seeping in through the gaps, mostly around windows or doors. Or, hold a lit incense stick near the place where you suspect cracks – if it swirls or drifts away through it, there is your leak!
Cover any cracks and drafts using a caulk to properly insulate the bedroom and keep the chills at bay. For sealing the door drafts, you can use draft stoppers, while for gaps around the power outlet, use outlet insulators. Feels like a daunting task? Hire a professional and get it done by an expert!
2. Opt for Insulative Window Treatments
Your windows might be letting the heat escape more than you realize. They can account for up to 30% of loss of thermal energy from the room, overloading the HVAC and skyrocketing your bills. Blackout window curtains are the game changers. Not only are they the best for privacy and room darkening – the two key requirements in a bedroom, they also feature a thermal coating that can significantly help insulate your indoors. You can opt for a single layer of blackout floor-to-ceiling curtains, or even better, pair them with blackout custom roman blinds for an additional insulative layer and full-proof coverage. Or, if you are considering a major overhaul, you can also invest in multi-glazed windows. They are multi-layered glass panes with inert gasses sandwiched in between to provide excellent insulation.
3. Reverse the Fan Direction
If you have a fan in the bedroom, make use of it to steer out cold air by reversing the direction of their rotation. When set to turn clockwise, fans pull the heavy cool air upward and push the warm and lighter air down. All you need to do is to look for a switch on the fan hardware, usually given at the side of the fan’s base or near the motor housing at the top, and turn it to the opposite side. For smart fans, you can find it in remote controls. As simple as it may sound, it can do wonders in keeping the bedroom warm for long duration.
4. Level-up the Blankets
A warm and comfortable blanket is a must-have in winter, they keep you warm without the bill! Blankets are excellent for trapping your body heat and giving you a snug feeling like a hug, but it is important to invest in good-quality ones. Ideally, down-filled blankets that have a fill power of at least 600 are great body insulators. To level up further, you can consider investing in electrical blankets or mattress pads – they feature heating coils to provide additional warmth. Be careful with electric-powered options to prevent overheating, or in the worst case scenario – a fire hazard.
5. Support the Radiator
Your HVAC system works the hardest to keep your rooms warm during winter, and it can use a helping hand. With some clever tricks, you can help it work better and save energy bills! First, the radiator is usually placed against a wall, which absorbs a large portion of heat. Cover the wall with aluminum foil to reflect it back to the room.
Second, in bedrooms, most of the time is usually spent in one place – the bed. Consider using a space heater for localized heating instead of waiting for every corner of the room to heat up to get warm and cozy. This will significantly share the workload of your HVAC and save big on energy bills.
6. Invest in Programmable Thermostat
While lowering the temperature on the thermostat when not in use might seem like a smart move, raising the temperature back when needed can actually cost more energy due to the sudden change. Consider investing in a smart thermostat that can sense the room’s temperature levels and adjust the level of heating accordingly. It can be programmed to meet your preferences. You can also use it remotely through a mobile app to monitor and adjust temperature.
7. Cover the Floor with an Insulative Rug
The floorboards in your bedroom can let the heat slip away. Covering the floor with rugs, preferably made from insulating fabrics like wool, is a simple yet highly effective trick to conceal the heat and keep the room warm. Go for rugs with more coverage for more insulation. They also quickly cover up any cracks or drafts in the floor to prevent heat dissipation, all while making your bedroom appear more cozy and welcoming!
Summing Up
Bedrooms become dearer during winters, and now you know that achieving something as important as a warm and cozy bedroom doesn’t have to be difficult. Instead of going solo with your HVAC system, team it up with strategic interior decor to do a better job in keeping the bedroom warm, all while saving big on heating bills! You can opt for quick fixes like space heaters and blankets, or you can invest in a smart thermostat and blackout curtains for better results. These proven tricks can go a long way to save you from hefty energy bills and make your bedroom the warm and comfortable haven it is meant to be!