Baby, It’s Cold Outside… But Not In Here

Baby, it’s cold outside. Even though it seems like just yesterday that we were cranking up the AC, freezing weather is here across most of the country, and it isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. You probably won’t be surprised to see that while the temperatures are dropping, your heating bills are going straight up, up, up. Thankfully, there are some easy tips and tricks to keep the warm air in your Greystar apartment and your utility bill down.

Seal It Up

Cold air seeping into your home is one of the biggest reasons your heater may be working overtime this winter. And while the quality windows and doors in Greystar communities will largely keep this from becoming an issue, there are some easy DIY steps to take to keep Old Man Winter at bay.

Simply placing packing tape over leaky seams and cracks in windows can go a long way toward making a room warmer, and a rolled blanket or towel jammed up against the edge along the window sill or along the bottom edge of a doorway can effectively ward off the chills. Closing the vents to rooms that you rarely go into will also increase the effectiveness of your heater when you do use it.

Simple Is Good

Throw open those drapes and let the light in! Natural sunlight can easily raise the temperature in your apartment by several degrees, and the natural illumination will make a room seem warmer as well. Close the blinds on the shady side of the house, though, to help insulate your space. And decorating with warm colors will also do wonders for taking the edge off of a chilly room.

Baking fresh bread (or other holiday treats) can make your kitchen a warm sanctuary, with the added benefit of delicious aromas. However, you should never leave your oven door open and use it as a means for heating your entire home. This can be a major fire hazard.

And speaking of preparing special holiday foods, this season is a perfect opportunity to brew a seasonal blend of coffee or try something new, like wassail. These hot drinks can go a long way toward staving off the cold knife of winter, as can layering up on festive socks and warm sweaters. 

Sometimes, the truth is unavoidable: You’re going to have to lower the thermostat to save money. Ratchet it down a degree or two at a time for a couple of days, and you’ll be able to find a happy medium for everybody in the household.

Don’t Forget Fido

It’s no secret that we love your pets as much as you do. And we care just as much for their comfort this winter as we do yours, so make sure to keep your canines and felines indoors as much as possible, especially when there’s snow on the ground. It’s a little known fact that a dog’s sense of smell is dramatically impaired when the flurries fly, so keep your leash handy to avoid lost pets.

Salt and other chemicals are often spread on sidewalks and roads to prevent icy conditions from forming, so it’s important to check your pet’s paws when you come inside. These products may taste great to them at first, but they can often make them quite sick. And young animals especially can fall prey to freezing weather, so keep a close eye on their habits and consider paper-training if you’ve adopted a puppy during the holidays.

There’s no two ways about it: Winter can be a magical time. From the various holiday happenings to cozy evenings spent curled up on the couch with a warm beverage, nothing quite matches the feeling of crisp winter air — or green in your pocket from energy savings. Contact one of our apartment representatives today and learn how one of our energy-efficient communities can become your cozy home.