When the winter months roll in, it's important to be prepared for power outages. A cold winter storm can leave you without electricity, but with a few strategies, you can stay warm and comfortable. Here are some essential tips to help you conserve heat and keep cozy during those chilly outages.
1. Move to One Room
Instead of trying to heat the entire house, focus on keeping just one room warm. The body heat from everyone in the room will naturally help maintain warmth. Choose a room that receives plenty of natural sunlight, ideally one located on the southwest side of your home, as it will receive more heat during the day.
2. "We’re Not Heating the Neighborhood!"
As your parents probably told you growing up, "We’re not trying to heat the neighborhood!" It’s crucial to prevent heat from escaping the room. Seal any gaps by stuffing towels or small blankets into window sills, door frames, or any other areas where heat might be leaking out.
3. Shower Curtains Over Windows
You’ll want to keep heat in your room while still letting natural light in. A shower curtain can help you achieve this.
Remove a shower curtain from the bathroom—after all, no one is taking cold showers during a power outage! Attach the curtain to the wall near a window so it lets in natural light but prevents heat from escaping.
4. Rugs or Carpet
Don't forget to insulate the floor! Heat can easily escape through cold floors, so spread rugs or mats in your room to add extra layers of warmth beneath you. This simple trick helps prevent heat loss through the floorboards.
5. Tents in the Living Room
For extra warmth, consider setting up tents in your living room. This idea works especially well for families. One family used separate tents for boys and girls, creating smaller, more heat-concentrated spaces within the room.
6. Put on a Hat
Did you know you lose heat through your head? Richard Ingebretsen, an adjunct instructor at the University of Utah School of Medicine, explains that we often lose heat from our heads, just as we would from our legs if we wore shorts in cold weather. Wearing a hat can make a significant difference in retaining body heat.
7. Leave During the Day
Keep your spirits up by heading outdoors to soak in some sunlight. While you’ll want to stay indoors during a storm, it's important to keep the house a warm place to return to at the end of the day. Make sure your home isn’t a cold dungeon, and take advantage of any sun to help heat your home naturally.
8. Eat Before You Go to Bed
Eating before bedtime helps keep your body warmer while you sleep, as digestion generates heat. Consider a warm, hearty meal before turning in to keep your internal temperature up throughout the night.
