A couple of years ago a friend of mine lost her home and all it’s contents in a house fire. Luckily the family was unharmed, and she and her husband have since built a new home, but it was still so heartbreaking to watch her go through such an ordeal. The event was also an eye opener, as I realized that disasters can strike at any time.
Are you spending a fortune on heating? One of the first things people ask about our two story, 97 year old-home is “Doesn’t it cost at fortune to heat?” Actually it doesn’t! We have learned some simple home hacks that make our home quite comfortable and affordable in the winter. Nevertheless, there is always room for improvement! Over the years of owning several homes we learned that switching providers isn’t the only way to reduce the heating bill. By making several changes to a home, you can conserve energy and make heating costs more affordable. Here’s how to save money on your monthly heating bill. *This post contains affiliate links.
Switch to a tankless water heater
When people think of reducing heating costs, replacing or sealing windows almost always come to mind first, but hot water heaters really account for a large portion of the bill. Our hot water has been on the brink for two years, and we have kept putting off buying a new one. Recently however my husband has had to take cold January, early morning showers, so now we are definitely in the market for a new hot water tank. While preparing this post, I discovered tankless water heaters which may be a real possibility for us. These heaters take up much less space than traditional tanks and can also be easily concealed in a closet or cabinet. Some even have sleek designs that aren’t too much of an eyesore, like the Eccotemp I12-LP Indoor tankless heater shown below.
Tankless water heaters only heat up water when you need it (i.e. when a hot water tap is used). They’re more cost-effective than traditional water heating systems in which several gallons of water has to be kept heated in a storage tank. In fact, a tankless water heater could use as much as 50% less energy. There are lots of tankless water heaters on the market – some are only able to serve one faucet at a time, while others can deal with the demand of a whole family. Shop around on the web to find the best tankless water heater for your needs. Remember that installation fees may also vary. I found a video that explains how tankless water heaters work here.
Insulate
Insulation is a means of trapping heat in your home so that you don’t have to reach for the thermostat as often. There are all kinds of insulation methods including loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, underfloor insulation, pipe insulation and double glazing (I have learned a thing or two about insulation after renovating and flipping a few houses)!
Installation costs can vary depending on the material and installation method you’re using – thermal wool can be installed somewhat affordably and is more eco friendly, while blown-in insulation may require hiring a professional.
Use heavy curtains or hang a historic style porterie
If you’re living in a rented property or if you are unable to do any type of construction work to insulate inside walls, there are still several DIY insulation tricks. Hanging thick curtains around drafty windows can make a big difference. Even an interior room can be kept warmer with the addition of a thick curtain “portiere” between room or above a door, which can be very stylish and beautiful. I am thinking about adding a DIY drop cloth portiere to the door between the kitchen and living room.
Dodge The Draft!
Keeping drafts out , especially in historic homes is as important as trapping heat in. You can locate sources of drafts by placing a small candle in a window sill or at the foot of a door. Using draft protectors (“door snakes”) under doors and at window sills can stop cold air penetrating these spaces. It may also be beneficial to seal up any cracks in your property that could be letting in drafts.
Install A Programmable Thermostat
Not all central heating can be placed on a timer, but upgrading to allow this feature could be useful for conserving energy. This could prevent you from leaving the heating on simply out of forgetfulness, or from having it running for hours on high while no one is home. With a programmable thermostat it can be set to come back on a hour or two before coming back home to get things warmed up.
ecobee4 Alexa-Enabled Thermostat with Sensor, Works with Amazon Alexa
The latest models are small and sleek, and have wifi capabilities, allowing you to adjust the temperature from your smart phone while you are away from home. For our home we simply installed an inexpensive programmable thermostat, and we noticed a considerable decrease in our electric bill.
Honeywell RTH2300B1012/E1 5-2 Day Programmable Thermostat
Install window film and seal around windows
Duck Brand Indoor Shrink Film Insulator Kit
Don’t forget to caulk around windows and add weatherstripping seal. These inexpensive heating hacks can make a drastic improvement in the comfort of your home and reduction in heating costs.
Consider Solar Heating
Many homes are embracing solar energy as a new means of generating heating. Solar panels create electricity which can then be used to heat up your home. Whilst installing solar panels can be expensive, you’ll make your money in the long run by never having to pay a heating bill again. Solar panels are best placed on the roof where they’re likely to get the most sun, but you may find other locations for them such as the garden. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need a clear sky to generate solar power – solar panels will still generate power even in cloudy weather. Solar power isn’t the only sustainable way to generate power and some households may find that home wind power or hydroelectric power are more effective. Now there are discreet solar roof panels that look exactly like traditional roofing, so you can still have the benefit of solar heating without affecting the traditional or historic look of your home.
There is nothing better than cozy, warm and welcoming home in the winter. Well, actually there is—an cozy, warm and welcoming home that doesn’t cost a fortune to heat! By using some of the ideas shared here today, you can reduce your heating bill each month. You can use the extra money you saved to buy some beautiful cozy throws and blankets or warm pajamas to snuggle up in! Unfortunately in our case, that extra money is going toward a new hot water tank, but it won’t be long until that investment pays for itself by lowering the heating bill over time.
Well friends, stay warm! Just remember…spring is on the way!
Amber
Welcome back for another post in my “how to” home improvement and vintage style series! Today I am going to be sharing how to add historic charm and character to your home. There are some easy ways to transform your entire home, even if it is brand new. I personally love historic homes, and I am not sure I would ever want to live in a newer home. Others may love the look and charm of historic homes, but not the leaky pipes, drafty windows and creaky floor boards! Of course all of these things can be repaired but sometimes it is just more cost effective to buy a newer home. That doesn’t mean your home has to look modern. *This post contains affiliate links.
It’s February friends, can you believe it? We made it through a cold and snowy January, and it’s one month closer to spring. Lately I have been sharing a lot of posts of ideas that are inspiring me as I am making my home improvement wish list for spring. One hopeful change is a new kitchen floor. While our tile floor is in good condition and matches well enough, it is not my dream floor for the kitchen. Today I am sharing a round up of some beautiful and classic kitchen floor options that I am considering. *This post contains affiliate links.
Dreamy brick kitchen floors…
Brick is certainly my first choice, but we are looking into a lot of different possibilities as well. I absolutely adore so many colors, styles, and layouts of brick floors! I just can’t decide which one would be best for our kitchen. I am certainly not ready to settle for any other option until I do more research and possibly order some samples.
Brick has been around for 1000’s of years. It will certainly last through the life of our home if it is installed and sealed properly. Isn’t it gorgeous? My vintage heart just loves the look of brick in a kitchen.
My dear bloggy friend Angelina at Petit Haus has gorgeous brick floors! Be sure to visit her beautiful blog and explore her brand new, swoonworthy home!
Tile Floors
Tile is probably the most popular choice for kitchen floors. From old world travertine tile to planks designed to look like hardwood, tile is durable, and easy to clean. It is certainly one of the most beautiful and classic kitchen floor options available.
Patterned tile has made a come back in a big way! I did some research on this style and found that it was widely used during the 1920’s and 30’s. Many creative diy’ers are even painting right over linoleum using chalk paint and a stencil to mimic this beautiful classic tile design.
Today there is even tile that looks just like bricks. Right now I am really leaning toward this choice simply because it is easier to install than real bricks and it is just a bit easier to take care of.
Wood Flooring
When we moved into our home the original plan was to remove the kitchen tile and restore the hardwood underneath. Unfortunately the hardwood has been covered over the years with several layers of linoleum, including dangerous asbestos. Due to the health consequences associated with disturbing asbestos tile, we decided to leave the original floor undisturbed. Nevertheless, I love the look of wood in the kitchen, and installing new hardwood is another possibility.
Wood has, for a long time, been at the top of the wish list for many people wanting to renovate their kitchen. The great thing about wood is that it’s very warm looking, and it’s pretty unique depending on the age of the wood, as well as the grain.
There are many floor options on the market, but you if you can’t find exactly what you have in mind you can actually design your own wood flooring as long as you have a reputable supplier. Chesapeake Plywood, LLC is a wood company that supplies various grains and styles.
Hardwood flooring in the kitchen can be very durable and easy to clean as long as it is sealed properly. I love it in many different stain colors.
Concrete Flooring
Until recently I never really even considered concrete, but there are so many beautiful stamped and stained concrete floors all over Pinterest I couldn’t help but take notice. As far as durability goes, you really can’t beat it. I prefer a more comfy and cozy kitchen with a homespun feel, but if you are going for a modern look in the kitchen then concrete is a perfect choice. The great thing about concrete is that it’s very durable, and lends itself well to kitchens with big families. It can withstand tons of foot traffic…even soccer cleats and dirty puppy paws!
The one big issue with concrete flooring is that it gets cold quite easily. There is always the option to add floor heating underneath, making early morning tea time in the kitchen more bearable.
Can you believe the picture above is concrete stamped to look like hard wood flooring? Amazing!
Bamboo Flooring
Bamboo is a great choice for the environmentally conscious and it is so beautiful too. If you like eco-friendly products, bamboo is a sustainable option for kitchen floors. In addition to this, it’s a very strong material. It is not the best choice for active families however. Some bamboo flooring can dent pretty easily so it is best used for quiet households. If you decide to go with bamboo be sure to pick a reputable brand with the longest available warranty. The longer the warranty, the higher the quality of the bamboo.
Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring…don’t turn your nose up until you take a look at the latest designs! Laminate floors have come a long way. I am really considering laminate simply because it is so easy to install and a cinch to clean. We installed inexpensive laminate wood flooring in our family room three years ago and it has help up very well.
Laminate can look nearly identical to hardwood floors or even tile. It truly is one of the most popular floor options today because it’s very cost-effective. This type of flooring is incredibly durable, especially the top layer. (You can make your laminate flooring stronger by adding and under layment padding beneath it). It usually comes with at least a 25 year guarantee.
Laminate flooring comes in many different options, so you can easily find a style suitable to your kitchen decor, from vintage style to contemporary. The only downside is that it is not as likely to increase the value of your home should you intend to sell it anytime in the near future. If however, you intended to stay in your home, there is no reason why you should not consider it, because it can be even more beautiful than the other options presented today. The laminate flooring below has the look of rustic reclaimed wood. So gorgeous!
Well there you have some of the most beautiful and classic kitchen floor options if you are building a new home, remodeling or redecorating. Of course linoleum and carpet can also be used, but I have had both of these materials in my kitchens in the past and they just aren’t durable at all. After working on this post I am still leaning toward brick flooring for the kitchen. Which floor choice presented here today is your favorite? Do you have any recommendations or feedback? I would love to hear from you!
Amber