Living Green In Your Home

Smart ways of Keeping Warm in Winter

In general the rule is to rely on electrical appliances as little as possible. If you resist artificial heating you may find you will acclimatise to the temperature change more easily (same for summer). Some heating sources can be dangerous; there are risks of fires and burns. Kerosene heaters have been linked with cancer, and people have died after falling asleep with gas burners on. Always remember to keep one window or door slightly open to allow for fresh air to enter your room if you are using appliances that require this. Be careful about what you inhale! Other tips are as follows:

• Lower the settings on heating appliances - altering them by a few degrees can still be comfortable. Choose your heater wisely.
• Close doors to unused rooms so that only a small space is heated.
• If you have a radiator put foil behind it to reflect the heat back into the room.
• Use extra layers of clothing/blankets. Put on a jacket or some thick socks or sit under a blanket before you resort to turning on that kersosene heater or air conditioner. Use a sleeping bag as it is perfect for trapping body heat, and you can be warm even if the room itself is freezing. Wear a wool cap to bed.
• Always use a big blanket when you use the kototsu to save warm air getting away.
• Exercise: dance, skip, whatever. Move around and feel your body warm up. Get out more! Meet up with friends at an onsen, restaurant or cinema. Explore Japan by riding in trains all day. Use already heated communal areas instead of heating your house for one.
• Sit in the sun. During the middle of the day it can be quite warm, especially in early and late winter. Sit outside and read a book or play sport. Keeping your lower body warm does wonders. Also, focus on the areas on your body where heat is lost; extremities like head and toes. Put on a cap and thick socks.
• Buy a yutampo: a Japanese hot water bottle (less than ¥1000 from home centres). Be careful as they are very hot when full. Put this under your blankets on your futon an hour or so before you go to bed. It will be toasty warm when you go to sleep. Keep it near your feet during the night.
• Wrap your fingers around a nice hot cup of tea. Eat some hot winter comfort food: pumpkin soup for starters.
• Avoid those scary toilets with controls that look like they launch nuclear weapons. Go to the ¥100 store and buy a terry towelling toilet seat cover. You won’t be sorry. A range of colours ensures you can be warm and stylish.
• Turn off items not in use. If you are going away for your winter vacation, unplug the TV, refrigerator and other appliances and turn them on when you return to your house.
• Don't go to sleep with wet hair.
• And to stop you place from drying out with the heating and in winter (a common problem) put a small bowl or water near the heater. Much cheaper than buying a humidifier.
• Insulate your house. Put mats down so you don’t have to walk on the cold floor. Insulate your windows by sealing cracks so cold air cannot enter (be careful to always let some air in if you use a kerosene heater).