One way to heat the house without gas or electricity is through fabrics and textiles: when a person has dressed all their life in his house to face the cold of autumn and winter. In addition, materials are fantastic for updating areas of the home without having to invest too much money. In winter we usually leave them aside, but at this time they are precisely what you need to save energy and abuse less heating.
1. CARPETS
They make a home, their appearance is warm and they are decorative. Wool and long hair are the champions of insulation and heat. Coconut, seaweed, jute or sisal are good alternatives for allergy sufferers.
A word of advice: avoid the ones with non-slip latex on the bottom because they are made with irritating chemical adhesives. The only ‘but’ of the rugs is that so that they do not become a problem due to the accumulation of dust, you must vacuum them frequently.
2. BED LINEN
There is nothing healthier than feeling tucked in and warm in bed. But for this, you need fabrics that are pleasant to the touch. Acrylic fibres also feel soft to the touch, but they accumulate a lot of static electricity and do not perspire. Better bet on sheets and duvet covers made of wool or cotton flannel. They are the most appropriate because they breathe much better than synthetic ones.
As for the quilts and blankets, there are natural fibres for people with allergies. Lighting also plays a role: soft, yellow-toned light points, such as candles, create an even warmer atmosphere.
DON’T LET THE COLD SNEAK INTO THE HOUSE
What’s the point of making an effort to heat the house if we let the cold sneak in? Discover the places where the heat escapes from your house with a simple trick: close doors and windows and arm yourself with a candle. Where the flame trembles, you have an escape. The most frequent leaks are located at the entrance door (you can place a specific profile), the blind boxes and the window frames.
INSULATING MEASURES
Adhesive silicone or rubber weatherstripping (more durable than synthetic foam) is very effective on windows. If you discover cracks around it, cover them with putty or silicone. Lower the blinds as soon as the sun sets, and get ready to enjoy all the warmth and well-being that your home can offer you. With these simple measures, your heating bill can be reduced by up to 15%.
3 EASY ANTI-COLD SOLUTIONS WITHOUT USING GAS OR ELECTRICITY
- Very cold walls. Identify them by touching the walls with your hand. Surely they will be the ones facing north. They are the most suitable for lining them with wood, cork or fabric panels. Also, place shelves well-filled with books that will keep the heat inside the house.
- aluminium panels. Make them yourself with cardboard sheets lined with aluminium foil. Place them discreetly between the wall and the radiator. They will prevent heat from being lost through the wall, reflecting it back into the room.
- Humidity. It should not exceed 60% because the sensation of cold increases remarkably. If this is the case, install a dehumidifying device. Choose a model that is silent!
- Readjust the furniture. Thinking about a logical distribution of furniture is an easy way to save money without using gas or electricity, and still, keep the house warm. If any furniture is covering the radiators, this will prevent the heat from being distributed correctly throughout the room.
HIT THE HEATING SYSTEM
The heating system you choose depends on your physical health and that of your pocket. Even that of the planet, since the production of heat, affects climate change. Take note of more tips that will help you reduce your consumption and, therefore, save on heating and electricity at the end of the month:
1. SOLAR ENERGY
The most ecological option is heating powered by solar energy. You can install a practically autonomous system with about 15 m² of solar collectors. These are capable of heating a heating system by radiators, walls or underfloor heating.
2. NATURAL GAS
It is a relatively cheap and clean heating. It is important that the boiler is highly efficient. Whichever heating system you choose, you should install programmable thermostats in each room to heat only the spaces that are used.
3. HEAT PUMP
Although the performance of the models has improved, electricity is expensive. It is profitable in places where the temperature does not drop below 0 °C, but it creates drafts that affect people with allergic or respiratory problems. It is essential to carry out good maintenance so that moulds and bacteria do not appear.
4. ACCUMULATORS
If they are turned on at times when the price of electricity is lower, they give a good result. Install an app on your mobile (such as Boltio or Precio Luz) to find out the price of electricity.
COMFORT AT THE RIGHT TEMPERATURE
- Savings. Experts agree that 21ºC is the temperature at which most people feel comfortable. Each additional degree represents an 8% increase in the energy bill.
- Contrast. Make sure that the difference between outside and inside temperatures is not excessive because the exaggerated contrast causes a drop in defences.
- In the bedroom. You don’t need more than 15 or 17 °C in the room to sleep comfortably. With more temperatures, it is difficult to rest.
