Try not to snap on the heat with the first cold snap!

Last week the first cold days of winter descended upon my humble home. I am amazed that every year I seem to be surprised at how the cold feels. You would think by now I would be able to anticipate it!

As I suspect most people do, the first time the temperature outside dips below freezing I stretch my cold and trembling hand out from under the layer of three blankets to turn the thermostat up a few degrees. Ironically, I know that in a few months time, the temperature that now feels like bitter cold will be interpreted as an welcome breath of warm weather!

Another part of this annual ritual is reminding myself of the simple things that I can do to make the home feel warmer without necessarily increasing the thermostat.

A couple of things are always at the top of my list:

1) draft proofing. It is really amazing how much of a difference it makes when windows are properly caulked with a piece of plastic sealed around them. Doors are another source of incredible drafts, easily stopped by placing a towel or rug along the base of them.

2) programmable thermostats. If you are not home, or bundled under the bed covers, why heat the house?

3) heat the areas needed, not necessarily the whole house. If there are sections of the house that are not used very often [ie basement or spare bedrooms] close the door so that energy is not used to heat un-used spaces.

4) keep your feet warm -if your feet are cold, you are cold. A warm pair of fuzzy slippers will go a long way to making the whole house seem warm!

I doubt if any of these ideas are new or revolutionary to you, but just as I forget every year what winter feels like, so must I be reminded about the simple ways to keep warm without spending a fortune on energy costs!