With winter quickly approaching and all of us spending more time indoors, we're all starting to feel the chill! When it comes to keeping your home heated, for many of us it is important to protect the planet during the winter months, but to also stay safe, warm and comfortable whilst the cost of energy also continues to rise. While it may be tempting to crank up the heating and consume additional energy this winter, there are energy-saving techniques you can rely on to stay warm even though the temperatures have dropped outside. We've put together are a few ways in which you can conserve energy at home while still protecting the planet this winter season, as well as save some pennies on your heating bill!
Use Textiles
Hanging curtains and heavy draperies that will keep more heat inside your home is a great, eco-friendly way to keep your home nice and cosy. These protective layers will block existing drafts and will keep more heat inside your home. Energy efficient blackout curtains are specifically well-suited for such insulation. If you have tiled or hardwood floors, these can get particularly cold in the winter months. To help maintain a warm environment, try using an area rug in the parts of your home that aren't carpeted and keep those toes toasty. Wool is a particularly good insulator, so our Kenyan Wool Rugs / Wall Hangings are perfect for chilly homes.
Drink Warming Beverages
We know it's terribly British to say, but there really isn't much that can't be fixed by popping the kettle on. Warm foods and drinks are a great way to warm up the body from the inside out too - think soups, stews, tea and hot chocolate! We think there is no joy quite as great as sipping on a comforting warm drink on a crisp winter's day. As well as being a fabulous way to keep warm, hot drinks are also completely delicious! Not to mention how beneficial they can be if you have a seasonal cold. Looking for some tasty recipes? Have a look at our Winter warmer drinks round-up here.
Maintain Humidity
Retaining humid air within the home is a great way to ensure more heat stays inside. This is because humid air is much warmer than cool, drier air. Cooking more meals at home is one way to keep your kitchen and surrounding rooms warm. Whilst cooking does still use electricity if you have energy efficient appliances then your energy usage will be minimal, plus you get a tasty meal out of it too! Adding natural ingredients to a large pot of boiling water such as cinnamon and orange slices is a great way to add a touch of fragrance to your home whilst also providing humidity for the air.
Layer Up
We know, it's an obvious one that you have probably had drilled into you by your parents and grandparents, but that's because it really does work! Wearing a good thermal base layer can really help to hold in the heat but are usually very comfortable to wear and will easily fit underneath other clothes - especially handy if you're still working from home for all those zoom meetings! Adding layers on top of this such as long sleeve tops, jumpers or cardigans will also help to keep your body insulated. On top of that, we recommend getting yourself a good, warm blanket, whether you are snuggling up on the sofa for some leisure time or if you are preparing for a good night’s sleep, it is sure to keep the chilly air at bay. Our Basotho Khotso blankets are the warmest you'll ever own, made from super-soft, vegan acrylic, these blankets are distinguished from others by the way in which the blankets are worn as part of their everyday life.
We hope you found this guide helpful and found some easy, sustainable ways to keep yourself warm and safe this winter. Do you have any top tips for keeping out the cold? Let us know!