As we head into the heart of the winter, you might find yourself getting chillier than usual at night. It’s important to remember that being repeatedly woken up by the cold weather, or experiencing discomfort in your own home, can have poor effects on your health. There are plenty of solutions, ranging from simple and affordable to more radical and expansive, so you can keep the temperature the way you prefer it and maintain a space that you’re happy in, no matter what the weather is like outside. If you’re a new homeowner or new to living somewhere with intense cold weather, you might not know where to get started when it comes to making changes in the winter. Read on for some tips to help if you find you’re having too many chilly nights.
1. Inspect and seal windows and doors.
Look for any cracks and crevices that could produce cold drafts and use caulk to seal them. If you’re unsure how to do this, consider having a professional winterize your home for you. Repairing cracks, seals, and structural issues in your windows and doors can also help bring down your monthly costs on things like your heating bill and electric bill. Allowing cold weather and cold drafts to affect the temperature regulation inside your home during the cold weather of winter is an easy way to cost yourself money as a homeowner. Many of these issues can be fixed by you with some caulk, but if you notice any significant damage or are unsure how to repair a problem, it’s always a good idea to call a professional.
2. Use your HVAC system’s timer settings.
Nobody likes coming home to a house that’s colder than you expected, and the most effective way to regulate the temperature within your home is to have a well-functioning HVAC system. Experts recommend an inspection and a filter change at least once yearly. Most HVAC systems are capable of running on a timer, which allows you to keep your home at your preferred temperature, even when you’re laying in bed trying to sleep. An energy-efficient HVAC can also help lower your heating bill. If you notice that being cold wakes you up in the middle of the night at times, set your HVAC’s heat to come on while you’re asleep. You’ll sleep more comfortably not having to get up or have your sleep interrupted because of the temperature dropping too low in the middle of the night.
3. Put up some longer curtains.
One inexpensive way to retain more heat in your home is to put up curtains. Long curtains, especially ones made of thicker material, can help put an extra layer of insulation between the outdoors and you. If your windows have any minor cracks or crevices that you can’t see, long curtains can also help mitigate any issues with cold drafts. You don’t have to keep them closed all day though, and in fact you shouldn’t. If it’s sunny out, let the natural light and heat warm your home, and pull the curtains when it starts to get dark in the evening. As long as your curtains come down past the bottom of the windowsill, you should notice some improvement.
4. If discomfort persists, consider a move.
Relocating or moving should obviously only be considered as a last resort, but sometimes the source of excessive chill may not be a problem you’re able to solve, or you may just want to live in a warmer climate. If you do end up looking to relocate, one first step is looking into selling your house without an agent and comparing the pros and cons. Working with a real estate agent often means a faster home sale, guarantees you have a professional in your corner to deal with the seller’s agent, and creates a little bit less work for you. That being said, if your goal is to minimize all your expenses, it can cost more to work with a real estate agent, due to the agent’s commission and other factors. While a real estate agent isn’t a legal requirement in any state, having a real estate attorney handle the closing paperwork is a requirement in some states.
While winter storms can be beautiful to look at, no one wants to be freezing cold at home throughout the season. When the temperature drops at night, it can be difficult to stay warm. Doors and windows can be the culprit if you experience frequent cold drafts, but they’re usually simple to repair. It’s never a bad idea to seek out help from an expert if you’re unsure about how to winterize your home or notice something that isn’t working properly. If you’re dealing with chilly temperatures in your home that are consistently uncomfortable, it might be time to start taking some action to regulate the temperature a little more efficiently.
