This time last year, when a similar cold front blew through, my heat was running almost constantly to combat the cold seeping into my poorly insulated 1920s apartment — and it resulted in a painfully higher-than-average heating bill.
Instead of accepting exorbitant charges each winter, I invested in these smart home finds to stay warm while keeping my heating costs low. With well below-freezing temperatures this year, I’m reliant on my space heaters, warm bedding, and other winter essentials now more than ever — but exactly a year after the last freeze, I can confidently say they’ve more than paid for themselves with the savings they’ve created — cutting my heating bill in half.
Writer-Approved Winter Home Essentials
- Stay Warm All Night: Bedsure Queen Quilted Queen Comforter, $24 (orig. $40)
- Toasty Toes: Century Star Fuzzy Socks, Pack of 3, $6 (orig. $10)
- Cuts Heating Bills in Half: Dreo Oscillating Whole Room Heater, $100
- Post-Shower Comfort: NY Threads Long Fleece Bathrobe, $29
- Ideal for Offices: Black + Decker Portable Space Heater, $22 (orig. $31)
- Snuggle Up: Bedsure Fleece Bubble Blanket, $18 with Prime (orig. $24)
- Keep Chilly Air Out: Joydeco Linen Insulating Blackout Curtains, $24 (orig. $30)
- Bye, Bye Cold Floors: Gertmenian Washable Area Rug, $90
Bedsure Queen Quilted Queen Comforter
It’s no secret that the coldest part of the day is overnight, so turning the heat down a few degrees before climbing into bed is a great place to start saving money. Of course, no one wants to wake up freezing overnight, so you’ll need a heavy comforter to keep you warm.
I add this Bedsure Quilted Comforter to my bed in the winter, and it keeps me toasty all night to the point where I’m even warm in short-sleeve pajamas. I originally bought it as a duvet insert (it’s easy to secure with corner ties), but after swapping my duvet for a quilt this summer, I simply layer it between my quilt and top sheet like a comforter.
Dreo Oscillating Whole Room Heater
When staying in bed or under a blanket all day isn’t an option — a space heater is a great way to warm up your home or office. I only used a smaller ceramic space heater originally, that was great for plugging under my desk, but this whole room heater quietly increases the temperature in my entire apartment by several degrees.
It has an oscillating fan that circulates hot air to evenly warm larger spaces, which also makes it more effective for open floorplans in my experience.
Joydeco Linen Insulating Blackout Curtains
Something as simple as swapping your curtains can make a noticeable difference in your heating bill (and keep your home cooler in the summer, too). Natural sunlight helps warm up your space during the day, but at night blackout curtains add an insulating layer to keep cold air out — particularly if you have aging or single-pane windows like me.
These linen curtains, complete with two panels, are currently on sale for just $24 at Amazon in a natural linen hue. On top of providing insulation, they block out early morning light and traffic noise, too.
There’s no need to suffer in the name of cutting heating costs. Join me and grab these essentials instead. Keep scrolling to shop more of my budget-friendly winter home finds at Amazon below.
Century Star Fuzzy Socks, Pack of 3
NY Threads Long Fleece Bathrobe
Black + Decker Portable Space Heater
Bedsure Fleece Bubble Blanket, $18 with Prime
Gertmenian Washable Area Rug
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