Last updated on September 13th, 2021. Sitting here on a cool fall morning in New York, it’s dawning on me that winter is around the corner. Before we know it, the leaves will fall, temperatures will dip into the upper 30s and the nights will get longer – and that’s just before Thanksgiving. Winter in many parts of the world is what we know in New England as “real cold”. The type of cold that forces us to take extra steps each day in order to stay warm. Millions of people that experience “real cold” live in apartments, some of which are warmer than others. Plus, there’s the occasional stretch of cold that’s noticeable no matter what kind of building your apartment is in. If your apartment is too cold in the winter, here are some tips to warm up.
Where Does The Cold Come From?
We’ll cover this in detail below, but it’s important to know exactly where the cold is getting into your apartment from.
In apartments of all types, windows are the most common culprit of cold getting in. Windows are typically caulked to prevent air and moisture from getting in, as well as maintaining the indoor temperature despite what’s going on outside.
If you can hear the wind making noise or feel a cold draft when near your windows, this is a good place to begin.
Building materials gradually lose their effectiveness over time. This includes caulking around windows, but also includes insulation in the walls, cracks in masonry facades and more.
It will generally be tougher to stay warmer in an older apartment building! That doesn’t mean hope is lost though.
10 Tips For Warming Up When Your Apartment Is Too Cold
As you may be freezing right now, let’s not waste any time. Here are 10 tips for warming up your place when your apartment is too cold!
Disclaimer: Please be safe when trying to get warm! Building a bonfire is definitely not on this list…indoors, anyways.
Check All Of The Heaters
The first step I recommend taking when an apartment is too cold is to actually check each heater. Are they working properly?
After feeling each heater, you’ll be able to tell if one or more aren’t working properly.
In any jurisdiction I’m familiar with, landlords are required by law to provide you with working heat. If your heaters aren’t working or if one is worse than another, bring it to the attention of your landlord to address.
Insulate Your Windows
If you’ve got a particularly drafty set of windows, you may want to insulate them in some way. There are a few ways to do this.
3M Interior Transparent Weather Sealing Tape
You can try weather-sealing tape as shown above. This tape is applied directly over cracks and joints in your windows to prevent air from passing through. Just be careful applying it to paint! These seals often remove some paint when peeling them off.
Thermal Insulated Grommet Blackout Curtains
Another alternative is to put up insulated curtains. While they’re often known as ‘black-out curtains’, they’re made using heavier materials and can prevent a lot of draft from coming in.
Block Your Front Door…
Thankfully, we’re not talking about a barricade. Cold air from the hallway can make it’s way into your apartment when your inside temperature is warmer. More accurately, a cold hallway can suck the warm air out of your apartment.
Under Door Draft Guard 36inch – Air Stopper, Noise Blocker
A door draft stopper is the most practical solution. While it’s tempting to try and seal the entire door, it’s obviously not to practical when it comes time to open it!
We have a ‘snake draft stopper‘ like the one shown above, because it’s easy to adjust, doesn’t need to stick to the door and is only visible on the inside of our apartment.
Cover Air Conditioning Sleeves
Do you have a wall sleeve specifically for an air conditioner? Wen we lived in an apartment with one, it was notorious for letting heat out. Unless covered or sealed, it’ll let in air like an open window.
If you want to leave your air conditioner in the sleeve during the winter, you can put some foam insulation around the perimeter to block air from passing through.
Frost King Window Air Conditioner Cover
Another way to block a drafter from your in-wall unit is to use an air conditioner wall sleeve cover, as shown above.
Throw Down Some Area Rugs
Nothing reminds you of the cold outside quite like walking around on an ice cold floor.
When an apartment is too cold during the winter, putting down a couple area rugs over hard wood, tile or other hard flooring is a simple solution.
Carpeting provides an insulating effect of sorts between you and the floor. Not only will it feel good to walk on carpet, but an area rug will help keep heat inside.
Space Heaters Are Saviors
When an apartment is too cold, we can always count on a space heater. Bring them from room-to-room and place it exactly where you want!
In an apartment, a huge space heater isn’t needed. Here are a few top-rated portable space heaters to check out. If you simply want a larger space heater for your specific needs, more power to you.
1,500W Portable Electric Space Heater with Thermostat (200 SF)
Dyson Pure Hot + Cool: HEPA Air Purifier, Space Heater & Fan
Lasko 1,500W Tower Space Heater with Remote Control (300 SF)
Maximize Your Natural Light
In our article about apartments that are too hot, we advise to keep the shades pulled during the day as much as possible to reduce how much sunlight gets in.
In this article, we advise to do the exact opposite.
The sun is the number one heat source any of us really care about. Letting in sunlight is free, warm and good for us too (in moderation).
If an apartment is too cold, it’s essential to let as much sunlight in as possible to keep you at your warmest.
Cook At Home Often
When winter rolls in, it’s time to start cooking.
Frequently using the stovetop and oven will help heat up the apartment a great deal – especially at night.
After you’re done using the oven, I recommend keeping the oven door ajar and letting all the remaining heat out into your apartment. Doing this may raise the temperature a degree or two in your apartment – when combined with the other tips mentioned, this is noticeable.
Keep Your Head & Feet Covered
When our heads and feet are warm, the rest of our body tends to feel a lot warmer.
A hoodie or pair of warm house slippers is a quick boost of warmth when you’re in need.
For the sophisticated among us, you might opt for a fleece house robe.
It’s Warm Blanket Time
When all else fails, just dive under a blanket. When an apartment is too cold, warm, winter bedding isn’t just pleasant anymore – it’s essential.
The best types of materials for staying warm are the ones that are traditionally less breathable, since they’ll keep more heat in. Here are some examples of bedding materials that keep you warm.
The same can be said for the couch. Just keep a warm throw blanket handy and you’ll never be (too) cold.
When An Apartment Is Too Cold: In Summary
I hope this article has provided you with a few useful tips for getting your apartment a bit warmer. Thanks for reading and stay warm out there.
2 replies on “Apartment Too Cold In The Winter? 10 Tips To Try [2021]”
Good article with very helpful tips. Thank you.
Sorry for missing your comment! Our pleasure and we appreciate your kind words.