As the months get colder, the need for warmth rises. But what happens if your furnace breaks down? Before you can get it fixed, are you just expected to deal with the cold?
No, you are not! Thankfully, there are many ways to keep warm even without a furnace. Run down this list of ten clever ways to stay cozy if your furnace breaks down – and if your HVAC company doesn’t promise a 4-hour emergency service like us, keep these tips handy!
Leave the Oven Open
Cooking dinner or baking a delicious dessert? When you have finished, turn off the oven, but leave the door open. The heat you used to cook your food will stick around for a little while longer, so why not let it filter out of the oven and into the rest of your kitchen?
Close Unused Rooms
Do you have a storage room or unused guest space in your home? Close the vents in those rooms and keep the doors closed as much as possible. The more space you have, the harder it will be to heat your home (and maintain this heat) when the months get cold, especially without a working furnace. Making the space small even in simple ways like shutting doors of unused rooms can go a long way. Remember to also close the vents in those rooms, forcing the hot air into areas you want heated.
Layer on Layers
Of course, the old standby is to bundle up and add layers to your wardrobe to keep warm. Pull on a sweatshirt or sweater, wear a long sleeve shirt as well as an undershirt, thicker socks, et cetera. The more layers you wear, the more insulated you become.
Lay Down Area Rugs
If your home is full of tiles or hardwood floors, you are going to need some plush area rugs to help warm your space if the furnace breaks down. Area rugs work to help keep the heat from escaping your floorboards. In addition, they are much warmer to walk on than bare floors.
Start Moving
Staying still forces your body heat to leave you faster. Keep your core temperature up by exercising or just moving around a little. Your body will heat as a result and you will definitely thank yourself for that cozy feeling. Make this even more effective by raising your body temperature through movement, and then layering up so the heat cannot escape as easily.
Do Laundry
Yes, doing a chore like laundry can help you keep warm. Specifically, you should try doing your bedsheets just before you go to sleep one night, since the residual heat will help heat your body in turn. You can also try putting a sweatshirt in the laundry before pulling it on over your head.
Fill a Hot Water Bottle
Need warmth when you sleep? Fill up a hot water bottle or two and keep it under the covers wherever you need the warmth the most. The heat will eventually cover the whole area, but the highest concentration will be wherever you put the hot water bottle.
Drink a Hot Beverage
Drinking a hot beverage like hot chocolate, tea, or coffee can really help warm you up inside. Just pour your favourite coffee or teaand bask in the comfort and warmth. Keep the hot chocolate coming if you want to keep warm for an extended period.
Cover the Cracks
The cracks under doors, around the windows, and anywhere else in or around your home can make the heat drop dramatically. Thus, try putting a towel down to cover the cracks under the doors for various rooms in your home. Caulk your windows to help keep the heat sealed inside.
Snuggle in Sheets
Want to be warmer at night? Invest in higher quality bedsheets! Instead of a light cotton you might put on in the summer, try flannel or fleece when it’s cold outside. Snuggle up underneath the sheets and stay toasty warm as you sleep.
