O, wind, if winter comes,
can spring be far behind?
- Percy Bysshe Shelley, Poet

A cooling draft of air across your cheek can be a pleasant experience on a warm day in August, but that same cooling draft is less enjoyable when experienced inside your home during winter months. Our rural home was built 40 years ago, and like many old homes has its share of old inefficient windows. Old Man Winter sneaks through those windows on windy days, so when Mom comes to visit in the winter, she invariably heads straight for the warmth of the comfy recliner next to our propane fireplace. Nor is she alone.

Seniors can be especially susceptible to even moderately colder temperatures even while indoors. To help reduce the potential for hypothermia (PDF 919 KB, Download Adobe Reader), the National Institutes of Health recommends that seniors set their thermostats for at least 68 to 70 degrees in the winter. For seniors on fixed incomes, however, the energy costs associated with maintaining a home at this temperature may be unrealistic. Low-income seniors may benefit from the Weatherization Assistance Program or the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Too, many of the weatherization tips discussed this month as part of the Energy Savers Blog would be worth considering for seniors.

Additionally there are a wide range of no-cost or low-cost strategies that can increase a senior's comfort in the home and supplement other heating measures:

No-Cost Tips

  • When heating a large house, you may be able to save energy by reducing the heat in unused portions of your home. Try creating a "warm room" in areas where you frequently spend time. Turn down thermostats in closed-off rooms but remember during frigid weather to provide enough heat to rooms to prevent frozen water pipes.
  • Try out different furniture arrangements to move the furniture you use most away from drafts. Your favorite chair will seem that much more cozy when it's placed in the warmest spot in a room.
  • Moving your bedroom to a south facing room may allow you to take advantage of solar warmth and light.
  • When you turn in for the night, use a hot water bottle to pre-warm your bed and add consider adding an extra blanket or two.
  • Reverse the spin on your ceiling fan and set it on low to re-circulate warm air down into the living area. Many ceiling fans have a reverse switch on them that will push down the warmer air on the ceiling to help you stay warm.
  • While most of us think to dress in layers when outside, we can sometimes forget that the same strategy can make a difference inside too. Wear several layers of thin clothing (wool, silk, or polypropylene inner layers will hold more body heat than cotton) that will serve to help insulate your body by trapping warmth in the air pockets between the layers. Multiple thin layers that can be easily removed also help prevent overheating. Remember, too, that wearing appropriate clothing to bed to maintain body temperature while you sleep is just as important as dressing for the outdoors.
  • Keep a stadium or throw blanket near-by to throw across your lap or to cover your feet and shoulders to help you stay warm. Throws and shawls made of fleece are particularly useful because they are not only warm, but also lightweight and less bulky than other fabrics.
  • Wear warm footwear - fleece slippers are a great choice - around the house to help keep your feet warm. Look for non-skid bottoms to help prevent slips and falls. Your head can also be a significant source of heat loss; for extra warmth, wear a warm, comfortable hat.
  • Use drapes that are insulated and close them at night and on cloudy days to reduce heat loss through windows.
  • Keep curtains open on the south side of the house during the day to take advantage of solar gain.
  • Prune any trees or shrubs near windows that block the sun.
  • Block or reduce drafts blowing into your home through mail slots, floorboards, and electrical outlets or the damper on your fireplace when not in use. If you have an attached garage, keep your garage door closed.
  • Vacuum heat registers and check to make sure registers, radiators and cold air returns aren't blocked by furniture or drapes. Air must circulate through and around them for maximum efficiency.
  • Investigate daytime activities in heated buildings such as senior centers, libraries, churches, and adult day programs, or look for opportunities to volunteer in your community.
  • Light cleaning, walking on a treadmill, playing with a pet and other simple exercise activities can increase circulation and make you feel warmer without undue strain.
  • Hot meals and beverages can provide both warmth and energy during the cold winter months. A cup of your favorite hot beverage will even do double duty, warming the hands as you hold it and the body as you drink it. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Extreme Cold Guide (PDF 3.5 MB) states: "Eating well-balanced meals will help you stay warmer. Do not drink alcoholic or caffeinated beverages—they cause your body to lose heat more rapidly. Instead, drink warm, sweet beverages or broth to help maintain your body temperature. If you have any dietary restrictions, ask your doctor."
  • Have family members or friends been asking you to visit? Schedule trips during winter months to take advantage of warmer climates, then turn down your thermostat while you're away. You'll get the benefit of warmer temperatures while simultaneously reducing your energy bill.
  • Looking for the ideal holiday gift idea for your list? Ask for help weatherizing your home or for a gift certificate through your local utility to offset your gas or electric bill.  

Low-Cost Tips

  • Caulking and weatherstripping doors and windows are low-cost measures that can reduce drafts and make your home tighter. Seal doors and windows with draft reducing weather-stripping and door sweeps.
  • Storm windows help to reduce air movement into and out of existing windows, thus helping to reduce heating costs. As an alternative, plastic sheeting can be attached over the whole window to provide a layer of insulation without blocking daylight.
  • Make a draft stopper, also known as a door snake, for your doors and windows. Draft stoppers can be placed at the base of doors and windows and are easy to make. Sew a fabric tube or use the sleeve off an old shirt or an old pair of pantyhose and fill it loosely with popcorn kernels or dried beans. For a no-cost fix, try rolling up a bath towel and tucking it up against the door. (Make sure you are not blocking your exit so you can leave the room quickly in case of an emergency.)
  • Portable heaters can be used to heat specific areas such as 'warm rooms'. Just remember to practice safety when using any portable heater:
    • Make sure that your heater has a timer, or unplug it when it's not in use
    • Plug the portable heater directly into an outlet and avoid using extension cords
    • Only purchase newer models with safety features
    • Clear the area around the heater of any furniture, draperies, paper or other combustibles
    • Take care to set the cord up to avoid creating a tripping hazard.
  • Heat from external sources can be helpful in maintaining body warmth. However, if you use a heating pad for warmth, limit the length of time it's close to your skin to avoid potential burns and always turn it off if you are sleepy. Some heating pads come with safety shut-off switches, which will turn off automatically after a specific length of time. There are also pillows or cozies that you can heat in the microwave and that provide safe temporary warmth.
  • Maintain your heating system regularly to ensure safety and efficiency. Change or clean furnace filters according to manufacturer's recommendations. Have a professional tune your furnace so it runs at maximum efficiency.

Is Grandma's kitchen cozy and draft free? Do your parents or an elderly friend have enough wood, propane or heating fuel for the winter? If a senior citizen living independently is part of your circle of family or friends, consider starting a new tradition! Crisp fall weather is upon us, so pack up a picnic lunch and head over the river and through the woods to a senior's home today. Follow the weatherization tips above to help prepare their home for winter and check out additional tips on EnergySavers.gov Stay Warm, Save Money website. Include elders in your energy plan this winter, and check out additional ideas in past Energy Savers Blog posts.

Jen Carter is the Clearinghouse Operations Manager at the Washington State University Extension Energy Program (WSU EP). She oversees operations at the Message Center and answers inquiries to the EERE Information Center.