My rental unit has concrete block walls and a high ceiling (no insulation) and there are big windows and ranch sliders. The house is freezing in winter, what can I do?
Filed under Frequently Asked Questions.
May 8th, 2011
My rental unit has concrete block walls and a high ceiling (no insulation) and there are big windows and ranch sliders. Although I love it in summer, it is freezing in winter. I don’t want to move again, but need to be warmer. What can I do? I don’t want to spend a lot of money.
Editor, May 8th, 2011 on 9:58 pm
Buy or make some detachable thermal backed linings for the existing curtains (you can take the linings with you when you move on). These clip onto the existing curtain hooks and use the same tracks, a fabric or curtaining shop can help you with this. Close the curtains at sunset to keep the heat in.
Extra rugs on the floors and a textured wall hanging/small rug hung on the concrete wall behind where you sit will increase the thermal comfort in your home. If your living area is very large, screen off a smaller cosier area to heat. Use a heater on a timer to warm the bedroom half an hour before going to bed. An electric blanket is also a low cost solution.
Talk to your landlord about installing an efficient clean heat system (heatpump/pellet fire/flued gas) and ceiling and/or underfloor insulation. There are grants available to landlords for insulation and heating – call the Advice Centre for more information.
If this fails, your best source of heating may be a radiant electric heater. A radiant heater will warm whoever is directly in front of it. They are ideal if you only want to heat yourself and are sitting in one place, such as watching TV or working at a desk. We do not recommend portable or unflued gas heaters due to high levels of moisture produced during operation, and noxious combustion gases.