Girl sitting beside the window with tea

8 tips to warming up your apartment (without breaking the bank!)

LIVE smarter | 5 MIN READ | 2022-02-03

We’ve all experienced it at some time or another: no matter how high we crank the heat, it still feels cold in your apartment! Unfortunately, cranking up the heat to the max is not only expensive, but it’s unsustainable.

Whether your apartment is heated with gas or electricity, it can get expensive in those colder months. We’re here to tell you, it doesn’t need to be this way - check out these 8 tips on warming up your apartment in those frigid winter months, without draining your bank account. 

 

1. Invest in a humidifier 

Humidifier radiating steam

The small appliance you’ve been promising yourself you’d get, but haven’t gotten around to it. This is your sign to purchase one ASAP. 

Humidifiers come in all shapes, sizes and price-points, meaning you can find the perfect one for your apartments needs. Essentially, a humidifier is a device that puts moisture in the air the same way a kettle would, with steam. In addition to bringing some moisture back to the air with warm steam, it’ll also help reducing in those oh-so-shocking static shocks you can guarantee return every winter. It will also assists in easing dry skin, reduces risks of infections, helps asthma and reduces snoring – no bad news here!

Plus, attention plant parents: struggling keeping some of your green babies alive in the colder months? A humidifier might be your ticket to green plants all winter. 

Want to know what other benefits you can reap with a humidifier? Check out this article

2. Speaking of humidity – hello, shower time! 

Pothos plants hanging in showerf

Another simple trick to warming the air in your apartment in the winter, is showering with the door open. 

Although not the best practice for apartment renters with roommates, showering with the door open, similar to a humidifier, will increase the moisture in the air, assisting with warming the apartment. It will fade quick, but is a good short-term solution when coupled with a humidifier. 

Tip: if you’re going to try to increase moisture in your apartment with the shower trick, make sure your exhaust fan in the bathroom is turned onto its lowest setting or turned off completely. 

3. Sunshine, please! 

Cat sitting beside window

This trick is a little obvious, but try to let in as much sunlight as possible during the short periods you experience it. Even in the wintertime the sun is still providing essential heat to our chilly country, so letting it flow in through your windows is a great way to capitalize on it. 

You could also try hanging some thermal curtains which you can leave open during the day to let the heat in and close at night to lock the warmth in your apartment – plus they keep drafts at bay! 

Tip: if you’re a naturally cold person, try moving around your apartment with the sun while you’re working from home or relaxing. Just sitting in the sun can make a huge difference in your body temperature, plus, increases your vitamin D intake which is so necessary in the winter time. 

4. Cook your dinner in the oven

Baked brie in oven

It tends to get a chillier as the sunsets and the evening creeps in. Opt to cooking your dinners in your oven versus in a microwave, slow cooker, instant pot, ordering in or eating out. Though it will only be on for the duration you’re cooking your meal, you’ll be creating enough heat for a little while – plus you’ll be saving on the potential meal you would have spent additional money on at a restaurant or ordering in. 

If you’re looking to soak in a little extra heat from that oven, once you’ve safely turned the oven off, crack the door a little bit to let the remaining heat flow into your space. 

5. Warm it up with textiles

Person sitting in a blanket, drinking from a mug, reading a book

We’re talking blankets, curtains, fuzzy pillow covers, rugs and anything else that is soft and cozy that will help naturally warm up the space. Plus, if you have these for the winter season, you can tuck them away in the warmer months and get excited to pull them out when the weather starts to cool down again – the gift that keeps on giving! 

6. Candles

Candles on a tray

Unfortunately, not every comes stocked with a gas, wood or electric fireplace. Why not create your own “fireplace” but placing a collection of candles together. You could also place them around the room in various areas to create a little bit of heat in every space of the room. 

Candles give off a surprising amount of heat, especially in contrast to a chilly room. Just be sure they’re in a safe and contained space and away from your cozy textiles and to not leave burning candles unattended. 

7. Hot water bottles 

Hot water bottle

Yes – just like grandma had! 

Hot water bottles are a perfect way to get cozy in bed after a long day. They’re reasonably priced and can be used again and again – they even come in cute colours and soft materials. We’ve come a long way from the original red rubber ones! 

8. DIY terracotta heater

Terracotta pots

Looking for your next DIY project? A terracotta heater might sneak its way to the top of your list! 

Not only do they look so cute and trendy, but they’re also provide heat to your home. Take a look here on how to make your own. 

Check out some other people’s terracotta heaters on Pinterest

Dealing with the cold weather is something we’re used to by now, but not always a task we enjoy paying for. Try one, two or all eight of the tips above and see how quickly you can warm your apartment without breaking the bank! 

Have some tips and tricks of your own you didn’t see on this list? Let us know!