7 Tips to Stay Warm in Your House This Winter (Without Cranking Up Your Heating Bill!)

7 Tips to Stay Warm in Your House This Winter (Without Cranking Up Your Heating Bill!)

It’s the same story every winter: there you are shivering … inside the house! You can’t be without your blanket in any room, even in the bathroom. Well, not this year! Especially if you are now working from home. Kick the cold to the curb with these tips.


Do you feel that despite its adequate heating system, your home is not up to scratch in terms of comfort? It would probably be important to have a specialist check the quality of the insulation. But in the meantime, let us help you improve the situation. You will have to tap into your creativity and organization skills. Are you ready?

“Layer” Your Walls

We are not suggesting that you bundle up your walls in thick blankets to keep them warm (although…!). Instead, this tip consists in using home decor accessories or furniture, like paintings, wall hangings, bookcases or large mirrors to “beef up” vertical surfaces that make up your property’s outer shell. Thanks to this extra layer, these walls’ surface temperature will increase by about 1 degree Celsius. Every little degree counts!

Stay in the Middle of the Room

The walls of a house are cooler than other elements because of their positioning. Indeed, some exterior cladding materials, such as brick or stone, absorb the outside’s frigid cold and transmit it to the inner layers. So, staying away from walls and windows makes perfect sense! For a pleasant night’s rest, move your bed to the middle of the bedroom. If you can, place your other items of furniture around the bed to concentrate the heat where you are sleeping.

Is Your Layout to Blame?

The way you have arranged your furniture may be the reason behind your shivering! Is your dresser, sofa or television stand blocking a hot air outlet? If so, they may be preventing the heat from circulating around the room and disrupting the thermostat’s efforts to reach the specific temperature setting. Make sure there are a few centimetres of clearance between the outlet and any item of furniture.

Lower the Blinds at Sundown

During the day, even when the sun is playing hide and seek with the clouds, its rays will come in through the windows. They trap this energy (heat) and allow it to spread through the rooms. Ambient air warms much more easily than hard surfaces, so it is the first to benefit from any sunshine. Therefore, when night falls, it is important to close the curtains or blinds so as not to let the heat out. Not doing so might mean a heat loss of approximately 100 watts of energy per square metre (every night). This is equivalent to the energy consumed by two light bulbs over eight hours. Calculate how many square metres of windows make up your residence and you will see that this is not an insignificant loss!

Hunt Down Those Air Leaks

Your house may be chilly because it is full of tiny cracks through which hot air is leaking out and cold air is seeping in. The good news is that you can easily put a stop to it. Walk around your home looking for nasty drafts, no matter how small. You can usually find them in door and window frames, and sometimes near the fireplace or even electrical outlets. Caulk these gaps and fissures with a suitable product or cover the area with a plastic insulating film.

Get Your Hands on a Thermal Camera

An even more effective method for locating the source of any heat loss is to use a thermal camera. Many models are sold inexpensively in stores or online. The device will tell you the temperature of the walls, floor, window frames, etc. This way, you will be able to get to the root of the problem and efficiently focus your insulation efforts.

Use a Supplemental Heat Source (As a Last Resort!)

Of course, backup heating remains a useful solution. Portable electric heaters are a good option because they are safe. Make sure the one you purchase is certified by a recognized standards association such as CSA or ULC. And most importantly, don’t use an extension cord (plug it directly into the outlet).


We realize that these ideas may not be game changers, but they should improve your level of comfort while you wait for the insulation issue in your home to be resolved. May the warmth be with you!

RE/MAX Québec

By RE/MAX Québec

By RE/MAX Québec

A leader in the real estate industry since 1982, the RE/MAX network brings together the most efficient brokers.