Winter’s cold temperatures inspire people to create warm and comfortable living spaces. However, staying indoors can raise energy bills and generate more waste. Fortunately, there are eco-friendly ways for you to enjoy a cozy home in winter, while minimizing your environmental impact. Discover how to embrace the warmth of the season responsibly.

1. Adjust Your Thermostat and Fans

Small, strategic adjustments to your ceiling fans and thermostat can help you reduce your energy bills without compromising comfort. Experts recommend setting your thermostat to approximately 68° to 70° Fahrenheit when you’re home and lowering it when you’re asleep or away.

Reverse the direction of your ceiling fans to spin clockwise on a low setting. This pushes the warm air that has risen to the ceiling back down into the room. Warm air naturally rises, since it’s less dense than cooler air, leaving the lower parts of your house cooler. By pushing warm air down, your fan spreads heat more evenly, resulting in fewer cold spots.

2. Leverage Passive Solar and Smart Lighting

Utilize natural sunlight to conserve energy and support the planet. Practice passive solar heating and use south-facing windows to capture sunlight during the day. You can also maximize this effect by ensuring your home is well-insulated to prevent heat from escaping.

LED lights have a lifespan up to 20 times greater than incandescent bulbs and use significantly less energy, making them an environmentally responsible choice for households. Use strip lights along staircases, under cabinets or to highlight artwork to add warmth to your home.

3. Unplug Devices

Plugged-in computers, TVs and microwaves use power, even when they’re off. Addressing phantom load — or the electricity consumed by electronic devices when they are turned off but still plugged in — can help reduce your energy costs. You can do this by simply unplugging chargers and devices when not in use.

Use a power strip to plug in multiple devices. This makes it easier to unplug everything by simply turning off the power strip when you leave the house or go to bed. This is particularly beneficial for home offices and entertainment rooms with multiple electronic devices.

4. Cook and Eat Sustainably

Your kitchen is a major source of energy consumption, and potential waste, but it can also be a space of sustainability. Efficient cooking methods save energy, while mindful food shopping helps reduce your carbon footprint. Treat winter as an opportunity to savor slow-cooking and seasonal produce.

Use smaller appliances like microwaves, slow cookers and pressure cookers. When you use the oven, leave the door slightly open after cooking to let the residual heat warm your kitchen. Prioritize nutritious ingredients with immune-boosting benefits, such as leafy greens, root vegetables, salmon and berries. Shop for produce from local farms to reduce the transportation emissions associated with foods shipped from distant areas. 

5. Compost Fallen Leaves

Fallen leaves are a valuable natural resource. When sent to a landfill, they decompose and release methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Composting leaves means creating a nutrient-rich soil amendment for your garden. This is a simple, yet powerful, way to reduce landfill waste.

Create a simple compost pile in your backyard. Layer fallen leaves with compostable materials, like used coffee grounds, fruit and vegetable peels. Shred the leaves using a lawnmower first to help them decompose faster. Instead of buying fertilizers, use the finished compost in the spring to enrich your potted plants and garden beds. 

6. Invest in a Humidifier

Dry winter air causes discomfort and chapped lips. A humidifier adds moisture back into the air, making your home feel warmer at a lower thermostat setting. It can also help keep your Christmas tree cool and moist throughout the holiday season. Moist air holds heat better than dry air, making a humidifier a straightforward way to lower heating bills and enhance indoor comfort.

Place the humidifier in the room your family uses most often, such as the living room. Clean it regularly, following the manufacturer’s instructions, to prevent mold and bacterial growth. Consider adding small bowls of water near your fireplace or letting clothes air-dry inside on a rack to add moisture to the air naturally.

7. Seal Drafts and Add Insulation

Drafts and poor insulation are the primary culprits of heat loss, forcing your heating system to work harder to maintain a comfortable temperature. A well-sealed home is your main defense against high electricity bills and colder nights. Keep an eye on common problem areas, such as doors, windows and your garage, which is often the largest uninsulated space in a home.

An insulated garage door can make your garage 10-14 degrees warmer in the winter. Employ a technician or use a DIY kit to add insulation to your door. Use weatherstripping or caulk to seal gaps around doors and windows where needed. Check your roof or have it inspected — cold temperatures and wind storms can loosen or dislodge shingles from your roof. So, it’s important to check for roofing materials that are cracked, buckled or missing. The smallest gap can lead to leaks and further structural damage, including water leaks and cold air from seeping into your home.

8. Invest in Underfloor Heating

Underfloor heating is an efficient way to heat your home from the ground up. It can be up to 20% more efficient than conventional heating systems and is especially effective in rooms with high ceilings, as it warms you directly. This can make your room feel comfortable even with lower ambient temperatures. 

Consider installing electric radiant heating mats under the bathroom or kitchen tiles during a remodel. You can also place area rugs on top of hard-surface floors, such as wood, to provide a layer of insulation, making the floor feel warmer underfoot.

9. Use Reusable Personal Warmers

Imagine being wrapped in a blanket, while immersed in a TV show. You take a sip of your warm beverage, only to realize it’s gone cold. Every short microwave reheat adds up to your energy consumption and wastes your time. Using a reusable travel mug is a simple, albeit impactful, zero-waste habit that keeps your drink warm for longer.

Choose a high-quality, insulated mug to keep your coffee or tea hot for hours. This simple change helps you avoid reheating or making a new drink, supporting your commitment to sustainability at home.

For a low-tech and reusable way to stay warm, consider a hot water bottle. Tucked into your bed before you sleep or placed on your lap while you relax, it provides direct, long-lasting heat. This reduces the need to turn up your central heating, saving energy and money. It’s a simple, comforting and eco-friendly solution for chasing away the winter chill.

10. Decorate for Warmth

Creating a cozy winter home can be a cost-effective effort. You can give old clothing a new purpose by transforming it into home decor. Upcycling textiles reduces waste, saves money and adds personality to your living space.

Cut old sweaters into squares and sew them together to create a patchwork quilt or pillowcase. Braid long strips of fabric from worn-out shirts to create a decorative rug. Repurpose glass jars into candle holders by adding some stickers and ribbon.

A Warm Home, A Healthier Planet

Making conscious choices in your home’s heating, lighting and consumption habits can help create a greener planet. Every small act, from sealing a draft to using an insulated mug, adds up. Start these sustainable habits this season and beyond.