Keep Toasty this Winter

With the price of electricity escalating annually and the ever present threat of load shedding, keeping warm during winter is no longer as simple as switching on a heater in every room. We've gathered a list of ways you can keep your house snug and toasty during the winter months without running your electricity bill too high.
 

Let the Sun Shine In

The sun is the most powerful and affordable way to heat your home. Open your curtains and let the light in. Once the sun starts to set, close everything up again to keep the heat in. Remember, your curtains are a form of insulation you already have. Use them. Speaking of curtains...
 

Hang Thicker Curtains

The thicker your curtains are, the better they are at trapping the heat in. Buying curtains with a thermal lining is your best option, but if you need a budget solution, sew an inexpensive lining like fleece on your existing curtains. You could even hang a blanket over the window if you want a really low effort way to insulate your windows. Just make sure you choose an attractive blanket, or remember to take it down before you have guests. 
 

Cover Tiled Floors

Uninsulated flooring can account for up to 10% of heat loss in your home. Covering your wooden or tiled floors with rugs will help stop the heat from dissipating through your floor. Buying rugs with warm colours will also help trick your brain into thinking the room is warmer. Remember to put a rug next to the bed if your bedroom is tiled. There's nothing worse than getting out of a warm bed and stepping onto a cold floor. 
 

Only Heat The Rooms You Use

While the idea of the whole house being warm is definitely appealing, it is also a waste of energy heating rooms you don't use or spend a long time in. Concentrate on your immediate space. 
 

Get Cooking!

Back in the day, the old woodfire stove used to double up as the home's heater. Indulge in baking your favourite batch of biscuits or make an indulgent casserole.Not only will the oven heat your house, but your home will smell amazing and you will have a delicious meal to enjoy at the end of it. Electricity is not wasted when used for a dual purpose. 
 

Get Psychological

Filling your home with reds and oranges conjure up images of fire while using yellow can bring the sun inside, making you feel warmer even if the temperature inside your home has not changed. Similarly, rough, chunky textures make a room seem warmer, so invest in knitted blankets and cut pile carpeting. Lastly, nothing says snug like warm, intimate lighting, so dim the switches and light some candles.
 

Stay warm South Africa!