Keeping Warm This Winter

Ranked #18,030 in Home & Garden, #307,585 overall

Brrr!

At this time of year I start thinking about how to keep warm.

I live in an old small rented cottage with no central heating, no double glazing, damp and gaps under the doors! It's perfect in Summer, but not so good in the winter months.

Oh yeah, and the loft needs insulating too!

But it's not all bad news. I'm not going to turn into an ice cube.

Here are a few of my tips for keeping warm and trying to save your money in less than ideal circumstances!

Start With the Roof

I don't know about in other countries, but in the UK you can apply for a grant for loft insulation.


Red Roof print
Red Roof by nomadlandscapes
See other Red Posters

Do You Have a Big House?

That's expensive to heat?

Big House card
Big House by PixDezines
Make a personalized notecard on Zazzle



To cut down on heating costs think about finding a central room from where to live.

I have a studio space in my spare room, where I work in the Summer. In the winter it can get too cold to even go in there so I use it as a storage space instead and work downstairs in the living space.

This living space then becomes the only room I heat during this time. It's right under the bedroom so hopefully any heat that escapes through the ceiling will heat the bedroom and besides when I crawl into bed with my hot water bottle then it's going to heat up under all those blankets pretty soon anyway.

Batton Down the Hatches!

First you need to stop all of those drafts coming in!

You're going to need:

Draft excluders

Rugs

Double glazing film

Padded curtains

Heat Control Window Film

Gila LES361 Heat Control Residential Window Film, Platinum, 36-Inch by 15-Feet

Amazon Price: $33.99 (as of 02/16/2012)Buy Now

You can cover your windows with this stuff to stop the wind from blowing right in.

Draft Excluders (Or Draft Stops)

Fireplace Chimney Draft Stop Plug Balloon (Large Pillow) - Fits Any Masonry Fireplace.

Fireplace Chimney Draft Stop Plug Balloon (Large Pillow) - Fits Any Masonry Fireplace.

Fireplaces are energy losers! Researchers have det more...0 points

Thermwell Prods. Co. DS2 3' Draft Stop Cloth Seal

Thermwell Prods. Co. DS2 3' Draft Stop Cloth Seal

36" long draft stop. Exterior color is beige. more...0 points

Red Cardinal Print Draft Stop (Balsam Fir Filled)

Red Cardinal Print Draft Stop (Balsam Fir Filled)

Top Seller! Keep your home cozy and warm! Use this more...0 points

Battic Door Whole House Attic Ceiling Fan Shutter Seal, Fits up to 48

Battic Door Whole House Attic Ceiling Fan Shutter Seal, Fits up to 48" X 48" Attic Fan Shutters. (We also offer a 3x4' for $29.50)

The Battic© Door Whole House Attic Fan Ceiling Sh more...0 points

Gaiam Draft Dodger - Blue - Stops drafts & Saves Money!

Gaiam Draft Dodger - Blue - Stops drafts & Saves Money!

It's a simple idea that's worked without fail for more...0 points

Red Homespun Balsam Draft Stop

Red Homespun Balsam Draft Stop

Keep the draft out! These clever draft stops keep more...0 points

Chimney Balloon® 24

Chimney Balloon® 24"x12" Inflatable Fireplace Draft Stopper (Medium Chimney Pillow®)

Fireplace dampers are inefficient due to warping a more...0 points

Want to Make Your Own Draft Excluder?

It's not hard!

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Quilted Curtains

How to Make a Quilted Curtain

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Layer Up!

Once you've got your house sorted you need to work on what you're wearing.

That's right, it's time to layer up!

Scarves on Amazon

Trendy Plaid & Houndstooth Check Soft Square Scarf - Black & White Multi By TrendsBlue

Trendy Plaid & Houndstooth Check Soft Square Scarf - Black & White Multi By TrendsBlue

Limited Edition! This trendy square shaped scarf i more...0 points

Peace Colorful Viscose Scarf , Turquiose

Peace Colorful Viscose Scarf , Turquiose

Keep the that Spring chill out and the fashion in more...0 points

Solid Color Viscose Scarves, Red

Solid Color Viscose Scarves, Red

Keep the that Spring chill out and the fashion in more...0 points

Fabulous Cashmere Pashmina Scarf / Bandana / Muffler (60

Fabulous Cashmere Pashmina Scarf / Bandana / Muffler (60"x12") in Silver Grey

We offer the best quality pashmina in shawls, stol more...0 points

Mittens and Gloves On Amazon

Columbia Sportswear Mt. Hood Fleece Mitten, Black

Columbia Sportswear Mt. Hood Fleece Mitten, Black

The Columbia Infants' Mt Hood Mitten wraps your little more...0 points

Ragg Wool Pop Top Glove - Ladies, Wheat

Ragg Wool Pop Top Glove - Ladies, Wheat

Our patented fleece lined ragg wool gloves feature more...0 points

Fingerless Magic Glove-Black

Fingerless Magic Glove-Black

For a glove that offers you more flexibility and a more...0 points

Hats on Amazon

JJ Cole Bundle Me Shearling Baby Hat 0 - 6 Months

JJ Cole Bundle Me Shearling Baby Hat 0 - 6 Months

Made with the same plush shearling as the Original more...0 points

Wool Red Plaid Warm Trooper Trapper Hat FREE SHIPPING

Wool Red Plaid Warm Trooper Trapper Hat FREE SHIPPING

Would you like to keep warm this winter.? Our comf more...0 points

Brown Faux Leather Warm Trooper Trapper Hat FREE SHIPPING

Brown Faux Leather Warm Trooper Trapper Hat FREE SHIPPING

Would you like to keep warm this winter.?. Our com more...0 points

Black Thermal Ear Flap Sherpa

Black Thermal Ear Flap Sherpa

This is a brand new white & black sherpa beani more...0 points

WINTER print
WINTER by DOGBELLE
Browse other Cold Posters

Knitting!

No, seriously.

Knitting is great because not only do the results keep you warm but it also gives you something to do during those cold, dark winter nights.

Once you get confident with knitting you can even do it whilst watching TV, or reading a book (hardcovers are best for this because you can lie them flat).

Stitch n Bitch

Stitch 'N Bitch: The Knitter's Handbook

Amazon Price: $6.99 (as of 02/16/2012)Buy Now

This is undoubtably the best knitting book if you're just beginning. It includes a range of great patterns and tells you everything you need to know when you're just starting out, even something simple like casting on.

Knitting Books

Vote or add your favourite!

Knitting For Dummies (For Dummies (Sports & Hobbies)) by Pam Allen, Tracy Barr, Shannon Okey

Knitting For Dummies (For Dummies (Sports & Hobbies)) by Pam Allen, Tracy Barr, Shannon Okey

Whether you're just picking up knitting needles for more...0 points

Teach Yourself Visually Knitting (Teach Yourself Visually) by Sharon Turner

Teach Yourself Visually Knitting (Teach Yourself Visually) by Sharon Turner

Do you learn faster by seeing and doing than by wading more...0 points

Knit Mittens!: 15 Cool Patterns to Keep You Warm by Robin Hansen

Knit Mittens!: 15 Cool Patterns to Keep You Warm by Robin Hansen

Knitting is in. Julia Roberts knits, high schoolers more...0 points

Knit Ponchos, Wraps & Scarves by Jane Davis

Knit Ponchos, Wraps & Scarves by Jane Davis

Knit scarves are the hottest new fashion accessory. more...0 points

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About Melted Rachel

Frozen Textiles Artist.

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MeltedRachel

I'm Rachel, a textiles artist from the southwest of England.
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