How to Stay Warm and Cozy at Night During the Winter
When the wind is howling, and the rain or snow is falling, the importance of our homes as protective shelters becomes more obvious than ever. After work or play, the home becomes our sanctuary from the elements, where we recuperate and rest in preparation for the next day’s events. As the mercury drops and the night time air becomes frigid and bitter, there are a number of techniques and technologies we can employ to help keep our homes warm and cozy during those cold winter nights.
Heated Beds
Image via Flickr by The Falcondale
One tried-and-true method for keeping warm and comfortable at night is by heating our beds. Beds can be heated mechanically or through the use of our own body heat. By selecting the right kind of winter bedding material, we can trap our own body heat between sheets and blankets to quickly bring the temperature in our bed up to a level that is beneficial to our health and allows for restorative, deep, uninterrupted sleep. Studies suggest that humans sleep best when the temperature is consistently resting somewhere between 60 and 67 degrees Fahrenheit.
Using Layers of Sheets and Blankets
Layering up bedding material is a great way to compensate for the temperature changes during the cold winter months. Multiple layers of fabric help to trap warmth in between the sheets. With enough layers covering us at night, our own body temperature is generally sufficient to keep the temperature high enough that we aren’t chattering our teeth or shivering uncontrollably as we try and fall asleep. Flannel is a great choice for winter bedding, as the additional fluff of the material creates a surface area that traps heat in.
Blowing Hot Air
Modern heating devices can be used to blow hot air in between your bedsheets. These portable units incorporate a heating element and ceramic stone to quickly generate the warm air that will keep you at ease and relaxed as you drift off to sleep.
Heating Only the Bedrooms at Night
By heating only the bedrooms at night we can manage to maintain a healthy, comfortable sleeping temperature without spending an arm and a leg on controlling the temperature in the rest of the house. Technologically advanced smart thermostats can be connected to your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. These devices are capable of not only adjusting overall temperature and airflow but also limiting the air conditioning to the rooms and quadrants of your choosing.
Benefits of a Smart Thermostat
State-of-the-art smart thermostats are a boon for those who like to have total control over their HVAC system while also saving money from increased efficiencies. The smart thermostat can be set remotely, so if you find yourself in an unexpected situation where you won’t be home for a while, you can use your smartphone to turn down the heat or adjust the air conditioning accordingly.
Smart thermostats can also be set to run more efficiently at night when everyone is in bed and asleep. They can even send you reports detailing how much energy you are using and delineating peak consumption times. By studying these reports, you can alter your heating and cooling habits and save money.
Staying cozy during the winter just takes a little forethought and preparation. Use these tips to stay warm and cozy at night, even during the harshest months.
