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Whether you’re dealing with a power outage or living in an older home, one thing’s for certain: nobody likes dealing with a cold living space, especially when there’s no heater to rely on. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to keep your home as warm and snug as possible during the cooler months—many of which don’t even require electricity! We’ll walk you through all the hacks you need to know, so you can stay as comfortable as possible in your living space.
Things You Should Know
- Preserve body heat by bundling up in plenty of layers, including warm socks and slippers. Snuggling with a pet or loved one is another great way to stay warm.
- Warm your home naturally by opening up curtains when it’s sunny outside. Keep your curtains closed at night to prevent any cold from seeping in.
- Keep your living space as warm as possible by sealing off unused rooms and laying out rugs over any hard floors.
Steps
Expert Q&A
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Tips
Tips from our Readers 
- Layer on clothes made of insulating fabrics like fleece or wool. The more layers the better! Put on a base layer, then a sweater, then maybe a fleece jacket over that. Getting all bundled up in cozy layers is key when you're trying to stay toasty.
- If you have pets, cuddle up with them while relaxing on the couch or in bed. Their body heat can help keep you warm. Your dog will love to curl up on the couch with you under a blanket. The combined body heat makes it much warmer!
- At night, make sure to fully close any curtains or blinds. This creates an extra barrier to block out the cold. Don't give that cold air any chance to sneak in! Close it up all nice and tight so you stay insulated.
- Do some light exercise like stretching or walking around the house periodically. Getting your blood pumping warms you right up. Even just getting up and dancing around for a few minutes gets your blood flowing.
- If possible, drink something warm like tea or hot chocolate. The heat will warm you up from the inside. A hot cup of cocoa on a cold day always makes you feel cozier. Just be careful not to burn your tongue!
- Wear thick socks or slippers to keep your feet nice and warm. Cold feet make it hard to get cozy. Wearing furry slippers will make it feel like you're walking around with a blanket on your feet!
Warnings
- Hypothermia is a very serious health condition that can set in quickly when you’re exposed to cold temperatures for a long period of time. If you start shivering, feeling sleepy, forgetting things, feeling confused, and/or slurring your speech, get medical help right away.[27]Thanks
- Keep an eye out for frostbite if you’re stuck in an extremely cold environment. Coldness and numbness are common symptoms, as well as white-, red-, blue-white-, purple-, gray-yellow-, or brown-tinted skin.[28]Thanks
References
- ↑ https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/medical/beat-the-cold/keeping-warm
- ↑ https://www.consumerreports.org/emergency-preparedness/ways-to-stay-warm-during-winter-power-outage-a1049480018/
- ↑ https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/medical/beat-the-cold/keeping-warm
- ↑ https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/cold-weather-safety-older-adults
- ↑ https://www.bhg.com/news/winter-hacks-to-warm-your-house/
- ↑ https://nasdonline.org/2012/d001480/staying-warm-in-an-unheated-house-coping-with.html
- ↑ https://www.co.delaware.in.us/egov/apps/document/center.egov?view=item&id=4332
- ↑ https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/medical/beat-the-cold/keeping-warm
- ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/why-it-matters-which-direction-your-home-faces/
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/duringstorm/indoorsafety.html
- ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/slideshow/are-your-windows-drafty-try-these-12-solutions-for-every-budget-48200
- ↑ https://nasdonline.org/2012/d001480/staying-warm-in-an-unheated-house-coping-with.html
- ↑ https://www.redcross.org.uk/stories/health-and-social-care/health/tips-on-keeping-warm-this-winter
- ↑ https://www.bhg.com/news/winter-hacks-to-warm-your-house/
- ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/ceiling-fan-direction/
- ↑ https://www.consumerreports.org/emergency-preparedness/ways-to-stay-warm-during-winter-power-outage-a1049480018/
- ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/slideshow/are-your-windows-drafty-try-these-12-solutions-for-every-budget-48200
- ↑ https://www.weather.gov/safety/winter-during
- ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/slideshow/are-your-windows-drafty-try-these-12-solutions-for-every-budget-48200
- ↑ http://scienceline.ucsb.edu/getkey.php?key=3901
- ↑ https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/medical/beat-the-cold/keeping-warm
- ↑ https://nasdonline.org/2012/d001480/staying-warm-in-an-unheated-house-coping-with.html
- ↑ https://www.consumerreports.org/emergency-preparedness/ways-to-stay-warm-during-winter-power-outage-a1049480018/
- ↑ https://www.consumerreports.org/emergency-preparedness/ways-to-stay-warm-during-winter-power-outage-a1049480018/
- ↑ https://extension.umn.edu/home-maintenance-and-safety/keep-your-home-warm-and-safe-winter
- ↑ https://www.consumerreports.org/emergency-preparedness/ways-to-stay-warm-during-winter-power-outage-a1049480018/
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/staysafe/hypothermia.html
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/frostbite/symptoms-causes/syc-20372656
About This Article
To stay warm at home without a heater, close the door to any rooms you don't use regularly so there's less space you need to heat. Also, put up heavy curtains over your windows, which will help block out drafts and the cold. Just make sure you keep the curtains open during the day on windows that get sunlight since the sun will help warm up your home. You can also stay warm by sealing any gaps around your doors with weather stripping or a door sweep. Even just putting down rugs and lighting some candles can help warm up your home. To learn how to warm up your home using your oven, scroll down!
Reader Success Stories
"I have a small apartment and it's impossible to heat. I will be trying these out soon."
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