How to Keep a House Warm Without the Furnace

Dealing with heater issues can be frustrating. Especially at a time when energy bills continue to climb. If your furnace can’t keep up this winter or quits, there are other ways to warm up your home. Does that mean you can just forget about it? Not exactly, but while you wait for service, follow our suggestions to keep your house warm without the furnace.

Ways to Warm a Room Without a Heater

Here are some simple ways to warm things up, without investing in a new heating system:

• Seal All Windows and Doors: Every window and door should be kept closed and have intact gaskets and weather sealing. Think of it this way. Even if your furnace was working, the heat produced wouldn’t stay in your home without properly sealed windows and doors. Repairing gaskets, replacing weather sealing, and using caulking or plastic can minimize air leakage and improve comfort.
• Indulge in Cooking: An oven should never be used for heating. But using the oven for cooking naturally heats your home somewhat. This is a good excuse to cook often. If you enjoy cooking, baking helps to dry the air, so is a great idea. Braising, roasting, and heating soups and broths on the stove help too. If possible, try to avoid producing steam, as it can make the air more humid (in winter, this makes it feel colder).
• Rearrange Your Furniture: External walls are typically colder. Therefore, move your furniture against internal walls so you’re less likely to feel the colder air. This might not warm up your home per se, but you’ll certainly not miss your furnace as much.
• Allow More Sun to Reach Your Home: If plants or sheds are blocking sunlight, remove them. Also, move any items sitting against sun-exposed walls on the side of your home. Therefore, you can naturally keep your house warm without the furnace. 
• Use Curtains: Curtains can block chilly drafts of air. You can open them to let in natural light. Meanwhile, closing them when the sun’s not out helps prevent heat loss. Simple clear shower curtains can be quite effective at capturing much-needed warmth.
• Seal Off Unused Rooms: Heat loss can be reduced by closing the door to an unoccupied room. This creates an extra barrier between occupants and the cold air outside. Even without your furnace, heat can still circulate and pass from one room to another, but you can try to keep it where you need it.
• Lay a Rug or Carpet: Wood, stone, and other flooring materials often feel cold to the touch. A rug or carpet feels warmer and can prevent heat loss through the floor, thereby keeping your home warmer.
• Light Candles: Candles are cheap to buy and produce heat. Candle heaters are an alternative to a central heater or a fireplace; while they don’t produce as much heat, they can provide a fair amount of warmth. If you use candles, don’t place them near flammable items or leave them lit when you’re not in the room.
• Insulate the Attic and Crawlspace: A great deal of heat can escape through uninsulated attics and crawlspaces. When these are properly insulated, heat loss can be minimized, even if your furnace isn’t working.

How Warm Should My House Be?

Around 64℉ to 72℉ is comfortable for most people. If your thermostat is working properly, it will show how warm or cool your home is, even while you’re waiting for furnace repair. As you take steps to keep your house warm, check the thermostat or an indoor thermometer often. Therefore, you can see if the temperature is close to an ideal target.

Don’t Keep Your House Warm Without a Furnace for Too Long

These tips are meant to help you stay warm while waiting for furnace repair. They can also help your furnace (when it’s running) produce just as much heat and comfort without working as hard. But in times of despair, don’t give up on your furnace entirely. Neglecting to repair or maintain it can put your household in danger and, the longer you wait, the more expensive it will be to fix. 

NexGen is #1 in heating repair in Southern California. Our trained technicians arrive stocked with fan blades, gaskets, igniters, flame sensors, and other parts your furnace might need. Available 24/7, our team arrives promptly and fixes issues quickly. Call 833-729-9735 to request immediate furnace repair in your home.