1. Dress in layers.
Bundle up. Wear long underwear, sweaters, and even hats indoors. Remember the days of “sleeping caps”? They make sense when so much heat escapes from the head - about 70% actually.
2. Keep Your Feet Warm
Australia is known for it's UGG Boots for a good reason. Keeping your feet warm will help keep the rest of you warm - especially at home. Although the UGG brand can be rather expensive, you can pick up a bargain by shopping around and looking through trift shops.
3. Heat Up Your Bed
Don't turn up the heat for the entire house. Use an electric blanket. An even cheaper and safer option may be a hot water bottle with a wool or fleece cover.
4. Harness the Sun
During the day, open the blinds and curtains on the south-facing windows—and let the Sun warm you. At night, close the blinds and curtains to better insulate your home.
5. Keep the Kitchen Cozy - here are some suggestions:
“I put a cast iron pot of water with liquid potpourri on the top of our cast iron stove. This increases the humidity in the room and puts a lovely smell in the air.”
“Drink lots of yummy hot chocolate!!!!”
“Bake something in the oven, either dinner or a dessert (doesn't have to be fattening but even better if it is).”
“A hot cup of tea is great….if you are sick, a hot toddy works wonders. Also, I always have a crock pot of soup going during the cold months.”
6. Block Drafts
Beyond weather-stripping, which is difficult with old houses, consider these tips:
“I hang blankets to close off the open stair well going to the second floor, since heat raises it keeps the warm air down stairs when we spend most of our time. I noticed it saves a lot of heating dollars.”
“Don't forget to put something at the bottom of outside doors–you can just feel the cold air pour in. You can buy a fancy roll or just use a blanket or towel.”
7. Stay Active
Get your body moving.
“Keep active, this is a good time to clean out closets, garages, etc. Anything to keep active.”
“If I get a chill just sitting I get up and stir around, the movement not only warms me up but also stirs the heat in the house. Children are great when playing, they stir the air around.”
“Don't just sit around. Stay active to keep your blood from 'thickinin.' Exercise is good for ya.”
8. Humidify Your Home
Not only does a humidifier keep your house warmer but also it eliminates drying indoor air. As our readers say:
If you don't have a humidifier, here's another idea: When you take a bath in winter, leave the water in the tub after you get out. If you let it sit until it reaches room temperature, it will add a little warmth to the house and help humidify it!