Stay Warm with Heat Saving Tips for Your Earth & Pocket

The Holidays are over, but Winter is in full blast, which means so is your heat. The heat may be warming you up but it may also be contributing to global warming and other avoidable environmental wastes and effects. If you're like me and living in an old small apartment with building controlled thermostats that don't seem to be working and awful insulation then you'll definitely need to read on, along with all other heat blasting earth lovers. For someone who loves to stay warm but not at the cost of waste, here are some pointers for ya....

In addition to watching the great video above created by the Grist team here are some of my tips for staying warm while keeping your impact low:

1. Take a short hot shower right before hitting the sac. This will quickly raise your body temperature which will stay with you for the rest of the night under the protection of your covers. It's also relaxing!

2. Exercise! Even though it's tempting to stay cuddled, get out of bed and move your body. Movement gets the blood circulating in your body, creating a natural heat environment. It's also healthy!

3. Furnish your space. Carpets and heavy drapes will help keep things feeling warmer. Carpets will keep your feet off of cold tiles and drapes will block the cold air from coming through windows. I recommend keeping the drapes open on sunny days as there is nothing more naturally warming than the sun. But make sure to close the drapes at night and windy days.

4. Long Johns. Okay, they may make you look a few pounds heavier or not work well with your fashionable skinny jeans, but leave your fashion trends for the Summer when Long Johns aren't necessary to keep you warm.

5. Clean. Dust acts as an insulator but not the good kind because it builds up on heated surfaces like your furnace that is the source of heat. Make sure to keep your furnace dust free and serviced every year (your gas, oil or electric company can do this for you at a cost that will save you more in the long run).

6. Shut those vents you might have forgotten about. Vents can be found all over your home from the laundry room to the fireplace, acting as an easy avenue for heat to escape. Keep vents closed or the door to the laundry room closed to keep heat from escaping.

7. Electric blankets. Slip one in between your sheets and you'll be heavenly warmed and pleasantly spending less than what it would cost to heat your room.

8. "Think Warm, Be Warm." The power of thought costs nothing and can be stronger than anything else! I'm thinking countdown to Summer....162 days left!!! Woohoo!!!

Warm wishes!