How to Keep Your House Warm in Winter
Cranking the thermostat up is the easiest way to warm up a cold house, and it can also send your heating bill in the wrong direction. Before you turn it higher, look for the places where heat is escaping, make the rooms you use most comfortable, and use supplemental heat carefully. If a winter storm knocks out the power, you'll also need a plan for keeping the house warm until the electricity comes back.
Seal the House Before You Touch the Thermostat
Before turning up the thermostat, check where warm air is getting out. Small gaps around doors and windows can make a room feel colder than it should, and fixing those leaks is often a cheaper place to start than changing your heating settings.
Stop Drafts Around Doors and Windows
Weatherstripping around exterior doors and caulk around window frames can close the gaps that let heated air escape. Check the bottom of each exterior door, too, since a noticeable draft can come through that space all winter. Older or single-pane windows can lose more heat than newer windows, but replacing them isn't the only option. Window film can be worth considering when you want to improve a drafty window without taking on the cost of a full replacement.
Use Curtains to Hold Onto Heat
Your curtains can help with temperature control, too. Open them during sunny winter days to let sunlight warm the room, then close them after the sun goes down to add another layer between the heated room and cold glass. It won't replace proper insulation or a good heating system, but it's an easy habit that can help a room stay comfortable without touching the thermostat.
Low-Tech Ways to Add Warmth: Layers, Rugs, and Electric Blankets
You don't always need to raise the thermostat to make a cold room more comfortable. A few changes to what you wear, what you put under your feet, and how you set up the bedroom can add warmth without heating the entire house.
Warm the Room Without Turning Up the Heat
Area rugs can make hard floors feel less cold underfoot, especially in older homes with limited insulation below the floor. Layered clothing, thick socks, and slippers help you stay comfortable without changing the thermostat. At night, flannel sheets and an extra blanket can also make a cooler bedroom feel warmer, so you don't have to keep the whole house at the same temperature while you're sleeping.
Use an Electric Blanket for Targeted Heat
An electric blanket is another way to warm one person instead of an entire room. If you're trying to keep electricity use under control, knowing how much an electric blanket uses can help you decide whether it's a good fit for your routine. If these simple changes aren't enough to make a room comfortable, that's when supplemental heat starts to make sense. A space heater can warm a specific room, but it needs to be used with care.
Space Heaters, Supplemental Heat, and Staying Warm If the Power Goes Out
A space heater can warm one room without raising the thermostat for the whole house. Keep at least three feet of space around it. Keep it away from furniture, bedding, and curtains. Never leave it running while you sleep or when no one is around. Don't use a stove burner or oven to heat your home. This can create fire and carbon monoxide risks. You can also check the cost to run a space heater to see if the extra heat is worth the added electricity use. During a power outage, a battery system may run a space heater, electric blanket, or furnace blower, depending on its power needs and capacity.
If you need backup for one room instead of the whole house, the DELTA 3 Max is a more portable option for running a high-draw space heater for roughly an hour, or a lower-draw electric blanket and essentials for much longer during an outage.
The DELTA Pro Ultra X can support a home's heating system through a longer outage, while the DELTA 3 Max is better suited to targeted room warming with portable backup power.
Is Your Heating System Itself Working Against You?
If your house stays cold even when the heat is running, the problem may be the heating system itself. An older or poorly maintained furnace can work harder to reach the same temperature, which can push up your energy bill and add wear to the equipment.
Keep Your Furnace in Good Shape
Start with the basics before assuming you need a new system. Replacing the furnace filter every month during heavy-use months can help the system run efficiently. It's also one of the easiest maintenance tasks to handle.
Compare Your Heating Options
A heat pump can work well through moderate winters. In colder climates, a furnace may be a better fit, depending on the system and region. If you're thinking about replacing your heating system, compare heat pumps and furnaces for cost and performance. If heating costs are putting pressure on your budget, you may also qualify for financial assistance.
Help Paying for Heat When Money's Tight
A high heating bill can be hard to manage when you're already trying to cover everyday expenses. If paying for heat or a needed furnace repair is becoming a problem, federal and local assistance programs may be able to help.
Check LIHEAP Eligibility
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, helps eligible renters and homeowners with heating costs and certain furnace repairs. Eligibility and benefit amounts depend on factors such as income, household size, and fuel type, so your state or local program office can give you a more accurate answer than a national estimate. This guide to LIHEAP assistance explains what the program covers and how to apply.
Ask Your Utility About Assistance
Your utility company may have its own assistance programs or payment plans in addition to federal help. Contact the utility directly to ask what options are available and whether you need to apply before your account falls behind.
Conclusion
Keeping your house warm in winter doesn't always mean turning up the thermostat. Start by sealing drafts, using rugs and layers, and making smart use of supplemental heat. If your furnace is struggling, check the filter and consider whether the system fits your climate and home. And before the next winter outage, have a backup plan ready.EcoFlow's DELTA Pro Ultra X can support your home's heating system during a long outage. The DELTA 3 Max is a portable option for a space heater and other essentials when you need to keep one room warm.
FAQs
What's the cheapest way to keep a house warmer in winter?
Start with simple fixes that keep heat inside. Add weatherstripping around doors, seal gaps around windows, and close the curtains at night. Rugs, warm clothes, blankets, and an electric blanket can also help you stay warm without turning up the thermostat for the whole house.
Is it safe to run a space heater overnight?
It's safer to turn a space heater off before going to sleep rather than leave it running unattended. Keep at least three feet of clearance around the heater, place it on a stable surface, and keep it away from bedding, curtains, furniture, and other things that could catch fire.
Does a heat pump or a furnace work better in cold climates?
It depends on your heating system and local climate. Heat pumps can work well in moderate winters. In colder areas, a furnace may be a better fit. Before replacing your system, compare their heating performance and operating costs.
Is there financial help available for winter heating costs?
Some renters and homeowners may qualify for help through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Eligibility and benefit amounts vary by state. They can also depend on income, household size, and fuel type. Your utility company may offer other assistance or payment plans.
How can I keep my house warm if the power goes out?
A battery backup can keep some heating equipment, a furnace blower, or an electric blanket running during an outage. What you can power depends on the equipment's energy needs. The EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra X can handle larger electrical loads, while the DELTA 3 Max is a portable option for smaller loads.
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