The big one is moving to France this weekend! To avoid raising the thermostat and the bill, take inspiration from the igloo trick, used by the Inuit for a warm house without spending money.
Temperatures are dropping and winter is setting in! Since Tuesday, an intense cold wave has affected a large part of France, with the mercury falling day by day… And is expected to reach negative values this weekend. How to stay warm without blowing up your bills? Inspired by the Inuit: these Arctic peoples, accustomed to extreme conditions, have developed simple and effective techniques over the centuries to conserve heat in their homes. And their “igloo technique” could well be the key to significant energy savings this winter!
Snow, negative temperatures: a cold snap is coming to France
France is preparing to a frozen weekendthe first of the year. The weather this week was marked by temperatures well below seasonal normsalmost everywhere in France. According to Météo France, Thursday was announced as the coolest day, with negative temperatures particularly in the east and center of the country. On Friday, the mercury will remain very low, with negative values or close to 0°c in the east and north.
Saturday, Sunday are announced as drier and calmerwith however slight frosts in the morning. But this lull will not last: the coming week should be very hecticaccording to forecasters, with a gust of wind in the night of Monday 18 to Tuesday 19 which should make the air frosty…We will undoubtedly have to bring out our down jackets, scarves and gloves to face this cold snap. But beyond the wardrobe, how (better) prepare your home to stay warm while reducing your energy consumption?
How to properly prepare your home for the cold?
Before even thinking about heating, a few simple actions allow you to limit heat loss when it's cool outside. For example :
- Caulk openings : by installing insulating tubes under the doors and checking the tightness of the windows, in particular. These small actions prevent cold air from seeping in.
- Optimize the curtains : during the day, open them to let in the natural heat of the sun. In the evening, close them to retain this heat.
- Improve insulation : key areas such as attics, walls and floors must be well insulated to avoid heat loss which cools the house and costs more.
- Ventilate intelligently : don't forget to ventilate daily, even if the outside air is freezing! The gesture may seem counterproductive, but a well-ventilated house will be less humid and will retain heat better while avoiding problems with humidity and mold.
And to go even further in optimizing heating, why not draw inspiration from the Inuit people and their ingenious igloo system?
Heating for less: the Inuit “igloo” technique
THE Inuit are the indigenous peoples of the Arcticand they have lived for millennia in extreme conditions, between Canada, Greenland and Alaska. To survive despite the local temperatures, which are largely negative, they designed the iglooan ice structure capable of retain heat effectively thanks to simple but ingenious principles, which we can draw inspiration from at home:
- The rising heat: In an igloo, the sleeping platform is placed higher to capture the warm air that naturally rises. At home, adopt the same principle by sleeping on bunk beds or raising your sleeping space!
- Essential ventilation : the igloos all have an air vent which allows the premises to be ventilated and prevents the accumulation of humidity and the formation of mold.
- Natural insulation : the blocks of snow used in igloos trap air, which is an excellent insulator! But in the absence of Arctic ice, you can simply reinforce the insulation of your windows with insulating films or thermal curtains.
For optimal comfort at night, also remember to equip yourself a suitable duvet. According to experts, a duvet with a tog rating between 7 and 10.5 provides ideal warmth for all seasons. Combine the right bedding with thermal clothing and insulating slippers to maximize your comfort, and you are ready to stay warm all winter while saving your heating bill!
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