The days are cold and the nights frosty. Winter is making itself felt, and we try to stay comfortable without increasing energy consumption too much. Follow these tips to get through this cold season without harming the environment.
1. Lower the temperature
Challenge yourself to keep your thermostat only two degrees cooler than you normally use in winter. You should not feel a big difference, but the environment will notice your efforts. Compensate for the change in temperature by drinking more hot drinks and using blankets more frequently. If you have a programmable thermostat, set it so your heater doesn’t work too hard while you’re out of the house. Program the equipment to start 30 or 45 minutes before you return home so that your home is comfortable when you arrive.
2. Grow indoor plants
Indoor plants can brighten the atmosphere of practically any space. By releasing humidity, they can also help your home retain heat and combat the dry winter air that your skin disagrees with. Consider using them in your kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, and living room.
3. Use a humidifier
Another way to prevent the air in your home from becoming uncomfortably dry is to use a humidifier.
4. Use LED bulbs
Light is important in winter. The days are shorter, and the mood of many people is affected by the lack of sunlight absorbed during the winter months. Do not deprive yourself of the light your body desires, but obtain it through efficient sources such as LED bulbs.
5. Open the oven door after baking
Simply using the oven more can help heat your home. To obtain even more heat from your oven, open the door for a few minutes after you finish cooking or baking. Just make sure it is turned off first to avoid burning yourself or creating a fire risk.
6. Buy seasonal produce
In this modern and globalized era, it is possible to buy fruits and vegetables in Portugal that are in season on the other side of the world. This has its advantages, but products shipped from countries thousands of kilometers away have to travel somehow. Unfortunately, this means that a lot of fuel is burned in the transport of goods around the world. Make an effort to buy and prepare meals primarily with locally seasonal produce. They are likely to taste better and be more nutritious.
7. Exercise
The more we stay still, the colder we feel. Long weekend afternoons spent sitting on the sofa can seem very tempting, especially if you have a warm blanket or the house is already heated. The problem arises when you have to get up, go outside, or walk your four-legged friend.
Take advantage of winter to do moderate indoor exercise; in addition to improving health, your body will surely warm up and require less external heating.
