The Easiest Way To Keep Your Home Warmer In The Winter (Without Spending Extra Money)

While hygge might be in full swing during the wintertime, there are some downsides to the cozy season. While folks love to bundle underneath aesthetic blankets and decorate with wintery accents, their wallets aren't having the same amount of fun. That's all thanks to the rising heating bills that most of us experience during this season. However, there is a simple way to heat your home this winter, and it doesn't include putting on an extra sweater or lighting a fireplace. Instead, it's as simple as opening your curtains and blinds in the morning. 

This is a great hack to try because it's simple and free. It requires nothing more than you padding around the house and pushing back curtains or lifting blinds, which takes little to no effort. Not only will it help you pad your wallet, but the extra sunlight can also help chase away any seasonal blues creeping in, according to WebMD. It's a win-win! Here's why opening window coverings will help you stay warm and save on your electric bill.

When you wake up in the winter, make it part of your morning routine to walk around your home and open your curtains and blinds, especially the south-facing ones and the west-facing ones. Those are the windows that get the most sunlight, and they will naturally warm up the room when your blinds or heavy coverings aren't blocking them. A great way to think about it is this way: If you leave your blinds open during the summer when the sun is at its peak height and blazing, your room immediately heats up, and you rush to close the curtains to block out some of the heat. The same is true during the winter. Allowing the space to heat up naturally allows you to lower the thermostat during the day, saving you some money.

Keep in mind though, that not all windows are equal when it comes to heat infusion. North-facing windows get the least amount of light and typically provide cooler rooms, so you want to keep the curtains and blinds closed there, if possible. You can help further heat those rooms by seasonally swapping out thinner curtains for heavier ones, which will block the cold air seeping in from the windows.