We all need to stay warm during winter, because that’s just rational. But not everyone is privileged with cozy heater in their place. Things got trickier with many other aspects that keep us away from using heaters.

In example, nowadays, 77% of Americans are anxious about their financial situation, according to Capital One and The Decision Lab. During the winter months, the cost of cranking up the heat may be one of many concerns, and doing so can have a negative impact on the environment as well.

For households searching for a budget-friendly and green way to stay warm this winter, here are just three smart options to consider.

Stay Warm with the Perks of Solar 

Geothermal energy might sound like the best way to go when looking for an eco-friendly way to heat your home, though it can be a costly investment. For green-minded households looking into alternative energy for heating their home during the winter months, solar can present a worthy alternative.

When considering the use of solar for heating your home during the winter, it’s important to recognize that winter weather won’t stop the panels from doing their job — even with shorter daylight hours.

“Solar cells are a semiconductor, and just like the CPU in your computer, the efficiency improves as the temperature goes down,” explains one Forbes article. Also discussed within the post is the fact that most manufacturers have proven a solar panel’s effectiveness through weather testing, which helps to ensure that the panels will work even in severe winter weather such as hail/heavy snow.

Although the start-up installation costs of solar panels may be intimidating, the resulting savings can prove to be well worthwhile over time. Costs may vary widely depending on a variety of factors (such as location, season of installation, type of solar panel, etc.), and looking into whether you’re eligible for solar tax incentives can help, too.

In terms of distributing solar heat, Energy.gov notes that radiant floor heating is just one option, and is ideal for liquid solar systems due to performing well at relatively low temperatures.

The Benefits of Hot Liquids to Stay Warm

While bundling up can offer an inexpensive way to stay warm during the winter months, drinking hot beverages is another worthy option, and is one that can be made eco-friendly, too. Ginger tea, for instance, is just one way to warm up from the inside out, and is great for those who love a slightly spicy kick.

Making coffee at home can also help greatly when looking to stay warm and toasty, and there are several ways that you can do so in an eco-friendly manner. Using reusable coffee pods or reusable coffee filters is just one way to do so, while composting your coffee grounds can further benefit the environment.

And, hot liquids can further come in handy when looking to stay warm in another way, too – by using a hot water bottle you can stay warm and toasty for hours at a time, making it a fantastic way to stay warm on a budget.

Bundling Up 

When looking to stay warm this winter, bundling up is one of the simplest ways to do so in an eco-friendly and cost-effective way. This solution is particularly great for those who don’t have or aren’t able to install solar panels before winter, as bundling up can allow you to turn down your heat to a lower setting, thus saving a bit of money over time.

Using heavy blankets and layering up on clothing are just two great ways to stay warm at home, and the use of thermal clothing (also called long underwear) underneath clothing can further aid in trapping body heat.

To make bundling up even more eco-friendly, investing in second-hand winter clothing is a great way to give a second life to gently worn clothes, from comfy sweaters to jackets and more. Keeping your pets warm during the winter may feel like a difficult task, though they can benefit from bundling up as well.

In addition to using pet clothing designed to keep Fido warm, changing their bedding to match the season is a fantastic way to provide a warm space for your dog. Ensuring that your dog’s bed is away from any drafts is just one necessity when doing so, while putting a warm and soft blanket in their bed will provide extra warmth during the colder months.

For extra warmth (for instance, if your dog has short hair), it’s recommended to add in an extra blanket or even a pet-safe microwavable heat pad, which will further work to create a cozy space fit for the winter months.

Wood Stove Alternatives

Households that are used to breaking out the wood stove during the winter may find greener options like pellet stoves to be an affordable switch worth considering. According to MyMove, pellet stoves use pellets that are made of renewable resources (such as sawdust from wood mills), making it a cost-effective way to heat your home.

MyMove also highlights the fact that the pellets emit very little pollution when compared to a traditional wood stove, and notes that a single pellet stove can heat a home up to 1,500 square feet.

While pellet stoves eliminate the need for propane or gas, trying out different types of pellets is generally recommended before buying in bulk as opinions differ regarding which are easiest to maintain.

Preventing Heat Loss

When looking to stay warm on a budget, there are several simple ways that you can prevent heat loss throughout your home. Closing up any gaps between the floor and your door, for example, is just one way to prevent unnecessary heat loss via drafts, while ensuring that your windows are properly sealed and adding curtains can help in retaining heat, too.

According to House Beautiful, gaps between floorboards can also lead to heat escaping, though it’s noted that filling medium-sized gaps with papier-mâché can make for a genius (and cheap) solution that can be done by simply mixing wallpaper paste with torn newspaper before pressing it into the gaps.

Staying warm and toasty during the winter months might sound like a costly venture, though doing so can be made both cost-effective and environmentally friendly in several ways. From green heating alternatives like solar power or pellet stoves, even options like simply bundling up can present a solution that won’t involve breaking the bank in order to stay warm.