written by Steve the door snake
So, let’s start down there, where draughts lurk, and kick them where it hurts — right in the gap. Those gaps beneath your external and internal doors are where draughts are lolling about and coaxing your warmth out.
But a few slick thinking snakes like me slung across the gaps, will beat those draughts at their own nicking game.
We’re cheap as to buy, or make, if you feel like a crafter-noon. Seriously, my friend Stanley was on special for $1.99 at the local hardware — not that he likes to admit it.
But that’s all it can cost to kick draughts from under your doors for good.
Plus, there are a few other wiley ways to beat draughts…
Windows can pinch your warmth
Pesky draughts get in those gaps too and steal your warmth. So make sure your curtains or blinds are pulled all the way down. They can also get in through skirting boards, which are easily fixed with one swift fire of your sealant gun. Bang!
Outside of door-snake style savings, there are heaps of other ways you can keep your inside warm and reduce your energy costs just by using your smarts.
Take that spare doona you hide away for when your in-laws come to visit. That’s an extra layer on your bed instead of leaving the heat on overnight.
Or, if you need a heater on, try only heating the rooms you’re actually in. Your imaginary friends or ghosts floating about the house don’t need to stay warm. They’re all good as is. Close the door to the room you’re in, and trap the heat in. That’s creative and economical. Two things ghosts aren’t.
Let’s cut to daytime.
Even then you can be getting your house warm for the night — naturally. By opening your curtains during the day to let the sun’s rays in, you’re heating the place with toasty, and free, sunshine. Then, simply close the curtains before it gets dark, and you trap that warmth in.
Now that we’ve nixed draughts, here are some of my favourite tips for saving energy this winter.
Make your showers sing
Take energy bills on by timing how many minutes your showers take. You could count yourself, but like me, you might run out of fingers. So, try a shower karaoke session instead. Pick a song that lasts about 4 minutes. The perfect shower length. A few verses and choruses later, you’ll have used less energy and smell delicious.
After your shower, why not wander about in your robe and pretend you’re the power point police and make a point of checking all your plugged-in appliances. If they’re not needed, flick them off. Standby power can cost you up to $100 on your energy bills each year.
Layer up
Speaking as a snake made from an actual sock, I know a thing or two about dressing for the cold.
Dressing warmly in comfortable layers, like woollen jumpers, fleece track pants, thick fluffy socks, Ugg boots or Oodies definitely won’t win you a fashion award, but they might win you some big savings on your energy bill.
When it’s bed-time, as you know, I like to lay down in a door gap and keep you cosy. But you can save again here by laying down on some good ol’ flannelette sheets. They’re warm and very affordable compared to those sheets the Egyptians say we should we buy. On top of them you just layer yourself, then a waffle blanket, which are cheap and riddled with tiny spaces to create warm air pockets. Throw a woollen blanket on top of that, and then a doona, and it’s like you’re in Ibiza. Just in jammies, without the dance music or a drink with a tiny umbrella.
Snuggle up with a hot dog
Let’s talk about the best and cheapest form of getting warm. Snuggling. Lions do it. Bears do it. Cats. Dogs. Socks in drawers. Grab your cat, dog or even guinea pig, get cosy on the couch and pop on your favourite TV series. Not only will they keep you toasty, you’ll also be spending quality time together and get an added boost of serotonin too. If you need an added layer of cosy, try a heated throw instead of cranking the heater.
Wheat bags to stay toasty
Wheat bags are tiny bursts of warm if you need a cost-effective way to zap the cold from your hands or feet. 90 seconds in the microwave and wherever you put it is toasty for a good while. Make sure you don’t overheat the bag in the microwave and always follow the directions carefully. Hot water bottles will also do the trick if you don’t have a wheat bag handy.
Make your appliances work for you
You can also make your ‘hot things’ work harder for you. Appliances like your oven, dishwasher and dryer heat up to get their business done, but once they’re done, open their doors and let all that glorious, stored heat out into the room. This hack even doubles as a room diffuser — especially if you love the smell of fresh sheets or roast chicken.
Got a ceiling fan? Did you know they have a winter switch? Flicking this switch puts your fan in reverse, pushing warm air back down into your room. Genius. Just remember to switch it back come summer.
About the author
Steve is an expert draught fighter and blog writer, originally from Sock-ramento.
He has a bachelor of Gap Filling and a Masters in Busting Nasty Breezes. He began his career in a small cold, old home, effectively stopping nasty draughts for over 5 years, before being promoted to a 4-bedroom house with 3 times the draughty gaps, where he also excelled.
Steve is currently Minister for the Department of Draughts and lives in Warm-anbool with his partner and two door snakelets.
