Now that January is here and the deep freeze has officially set in, we’re all feeling the chill.

In fact, according to AccuWeather, this January and February are forecast to be colder than normal in Ontario.

Naturally, you want to know how to keep your apartment warm and cozy without facing astronomical energy bills each month.

Here are some inexpensive (and green!) ways to stay warm in your apartment during yet another Canadian winter.

Here Comes the Sun

If your apartment rental tends to get sunlight for a large portion of the day, leave your blinds open to allow the heat of the sun to warm up your living space for free.

Take advantage of those free sun rays and help to banish the winter doldrums with some vitamin D shining directly into your apartment.

Conversely, if the day is overcast or your apartment tends to not receive sunlight, keep your blinds closed to keep in the heat that you already have.

You’ll also want to keep your blinds closed at night when the temperature really dips.

Cuddle Up in Warmth

Winter is the perfect time to change your bedding to something more substantial.

Flannel sheets and thick quilts will help you to stay warm at night without the need for your heater to be blasting the entire time.

If you’re sitting on the couch to watch television, cover yourself with a warm and soft blanket, wear a sweater and throw on some slippers.

You’ll feel completely cozy and happy in your apartment, all while knowing that you won’t have a giant heating bill coming your way.

Cover Up …Your Apartment

If you have hardwood floors, you might find that they are quite often chilly. Use strategically placed rugs in high-traffic areas to help keep the warmth in (and your feet toasty).

In addition to keeping blinds closed on overcast days and at night, you will want to check for drafts that could be contributing to the chill in your home.

To prevent a draft from flowing in from the hallway, roll up an old towel or purchase a specially designed draft blocker to stop the air.

Check to ensure your windows are completely closed and no cold outside air is making its way in.

Cooking Up a Storm

Warm up your apartment the old fashioned way – by baking or cooking a beautiful meal.

In particular, meals like soups, stews and casseroles need to cook for a long time, thereby slowing and surely warming up your apartment (not to mention the fact that your place will smell wonderful).

Winter is also the perfect time for trying out a variety of warm drinks, from exotic coffees and teas to hot chocolate.

Invest in a Humidifier

A humidifier is an economical way to increase the heat in your apartment without actually turning the heat on.

Humid air feels warmer – and will make you feel like you’re on a vacation in a tropical environment.

If you don’t want to purchase a humidifier, showering with the bathroom door open will achieve the same effect, albeit for a shorter period of time.

There are a number of ways to stay warm in your apartment without breaking the bank. Tell us your favourites in the comments!

The RentSeeker Team

The temperatures are dropping, the holiday lights and decorations are going up, and the sun begins to set earlier every day. This adds up to one inevitable conclusion – winter is coming. For property managers and landlords, winter adds a new set of responsibilities to your already full schedule. But with a little planning and preparation, you can get your building into tip-top shape in time for the deep freeze. After all, the trusty Farmers’ Almanac is calling for a colder than normal winter throughout most of Canada, with Ontario and Quebec in store for a, particularly snowy winter.

Stock Up Early

Winter storms can often strike with little warning. Once the forecast is in, the rush to Canadian Tire to grab shovels and ice melters is on. Don’t get caught without any of these essential items on your property management checklist! Stock up now while the snow levels are still relatively manageable. If you are one of the lucky people that has a snowblower, give it a tune-up before the first big storm of the season.

Inspect Your Building

Included on your pre-winter checklist should be a thorough examination of the pipes throughout your building to inspect their insulation. The last thing anyone needs in the dead of winter is for a pipe to burst and cause flooding damage (not to mention how cold it will be for all involved!). The boilers and furnaces in your building will also need to be inspected and maintained to ensure a warm winter for your residents. Finally, get your roof inspected so you’ll be able to nip any leaks in the bud before they become larger under the weight of heavy snow. By starting with a detailed inspection of your building and then monitoring all the “moving parts” throughout the season, you’ll be on top of any potential issues.

Inspect Your Property

Large trees and bushes that line your property should be given a good once-over to safeguard from falling branches that result when dying limbs are overloaded with snow and ice. If you have trees on your property that are near hydro wires, you may need to call in the city for help if you notice branches that may cause a problem during a winter storm. Remember that safety is the most important issue here – don’t trim any branches near hydro wires yourself!

Stay on Top of the Weather

Once a storm does hit, don’t put off clearing the snow. Keep your walkway as clean and clear as possible and always put down salt or sand to help with traction. If you wait to clear the snow, you’ll be putting your residents’ safety at risk and causing more headaches for yourself when the snow becomes heavier and more unwieldy. Shovel and put down salt at all entrances and wherever residents may go around the outside of the property. If you have an outdoor parking lot, hiring a company to clear the lot of snow after a big storm would be a wise investment as it would save you time and give your residents peace of mind.

Keep Your Residents Informed

Let your residents know how they can help during the long winter months. If they notice a draft in their apartment, ask them to alert you right away so the issue can be resolved before it gets worse. Put up information about being “winter weather smart” in the common areas of the building, with tips such as turning down your thermostat (but not turning it off!) if they will be away from home for several days and not leaving a window open overnight (hello, burst pipes!). By involving your residents in the process of keeping your building in fighting winter shape, you’ll be helping to create a sense of community and ownership.

As we mentioned, one of the biggest issues during the winter season is frozen pipes. About.com gives you more valuable information in their article “How to Prevent Pipes from Freezing”:

Keep the Heat On

If you or your residents are leaving for a period of time, make sure that the heat is kept on at your property. It may be difficult to convince your residents to leave their heat on when they are away, especially if they are responsible for paying their own utilities. You should inform them that the heat can help prevent pipes from freezing, and if pipes freeze and burst, it can cause a lot of water damage to the property and to their possessions.

The heat does not have to be kept as high as you normally would keep it if you were actually at the property, but keeping it set above 10 degrees Celsius is a good idea. This should provide enough heat to keep the pipes warm and to prevent the water inside from freezing.

Allow Faucet to Drip

If you are afraid a pipe will freeze, you can allow the faucet to drip slightly. Allowing the faucet to be open like this will alleviate pressure in the system. Once a pipe freezes, it is actually pressure that is created between the blockage and the faucet that will cause the pipe to burst, so allowing the faucet to be open will prevent this pressure from building up and thus, the pipe from bursting.

Keep Interior Doors Open

Pipes are often located in cabinets. When the temperatures drop, it is a good idea to keep these cabinet doors open so that the heat from the rest of the house can keep the pipes warm as well. You should also keep all interior doors open so that the heat can flow throughout the home.

Seal Up Cracks and Holes

You should caulk any holes or cracks that exist near pipes. This should be done on both interior and exterior walls. Doing so can help keep the cold air out.

Apply Heating Tape

For pipes that are easily accessible, electrical heating tape may be an option to keep them from freezing. This tape can be applied directly to the pipe.

There are two types of heating tape. There is a type of heating tape that turns on and off by itself when it senses heat is needed and another type of heating tape that needs to be plugged in when the heat is needed and unplugged when not in use. Much like a space heater, these products can be dangerous, so you must follow the product’s direction and safety procedures exactly.

Add Extra Insulation

Pipes that are located in areas that do not have proper insulation, such as basements or attics, may need extra insulation to keep from freezing. Pipes in basements or attics are not the only ones that may not be properly insulated from the cold. If you have had a problem with pipes freezing anywhere in your home, extra insulation may be the cure.

Pipes can be fitted with foam rubber or fibreglass sleeves to help decrease the chances of freezing. This can be an easy solution for pipes that are exposed but can get expensive if walls, floors, or ceilings have to be opened in order to properly insulate the pipe.

Additional insulation can also be added to walls and ceilings to keep the pipes warm.

These tips should help you keep your property and residents warm through the Winter. And remember an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

The RentSeeker Team

In fact, The Farmer’s Almanac has predicted a much colder than usual winter for Canada with above-average snowfall. While the Almanac is not an exact science, it is generally a good barometer of what is to come. Preparing your apartment rental now will ensure that you are safe and comfortable through the next cold front!

Insulate Those Windows

This is a relatively easy step that is often pushed aside due to aesthetics. Window insulation helps to keep the warm air in and the cold air out and can save you money on your heating bill.

The website HowStuffWorks.com estimates that you can save approximately $20 per window each winter – that really adds up! While having plastic covering your windows is not always the best to look at, it certainly will feel good once you receive that low heating bill in the mail.

Property managers can insulate windows in stairwells and other common areas of the building to really cut down on the overall heating costs. Putting up the insulation is easy and takes only a few minutes – all you need is the plastic (you can purchase great kits made by 3M), scissors, tape and a hairdryer. Give it a try – you’ll be glad you did.

Check for Drafts

Windows aren’t the only places that cool air can leak into your home. It’s important to check for any cracks that might be present in your doors and outlets. These cracks can cause cool air to rush in, depending on where they originate. Let your landlord know about any cracks so they can be filled and corrected before they become a larger problem for you!

Landlords will want to do a thorough inspection of all entrances to check for drafts and to observe the status of any caulking around windows and doors. If the caulking is soft to the touch, it is still in good condition and does not need to be replaced. If it is hard or flaking, it is a good idea to replace it as soon as possible.

Set Your Thermostat

If you have a thermostat that can be programmed, set it to only run when you are at home. There is no need to have heat blasting while you are not in the house, thereby wasting money. If you are one of the lucky people who have a fireplace in your apartment, do a check-up. Turn it on for a trial run and see if there are any problems with ventilation – do you see smoke or smell gas? You’ll want to alert your landlord immediately if you do.

Bundle Up

Lastly, sometimes all you need to stay warm in the winter in your apartment rental is a cozy sweater and a blanket (and perhaps a mug of hot chocolate). You’ll again save money on your heating bill if, on the days when it is not dreadfully cold, you simply bundle up instead of turning up the thermostat.

As Canadians, we can quickly become accustomed to whatever Mother Nature has to throw at us. This year, take the right steps toward getting warm and enjoy a comfortable winter season in your rental apartment.

The RentSeeker.ca Team

Don’t let a smaller space stop you from getting into the holiday spirit!

No Tree? No Problem!

Due to the fire hazard of a dried out Christmas tree, many apartment buildings will not allow their tenants to use real Christmas trees.

While this may seem disappointing at first, real Christmas trees are far more difficult to care for (monitoring water levels, cleaning up the inevitable messes).

Going with the more economical option – a fake tree – allows you to follow your apartment’s rules and find a tree that fits your home perfectly.

If you don’t have the room for a tree at all, why not get a small tabletop version? You can purchase one from a store like Canadian Tire or Wal-Mart for under $40 and they make your home feel festive without the clutter.

Safety First: While it may be tempting to unleash hordes of tinsel and garland all over your home, keep in mind that these items pose a hazard to children and animals.

Keep them out of reach by placing them on the upper-tier of your tree or on top of mantles. The shiny tinsel is enticing to small children and our animal friends and it poses a significant choking hazard to both.

Twinkle, Twinkle

Lights are the one item that will make your home feel holiday-ready immediately.

Before making your purchase, read the box thoroughly.

Are the lights you are buying indoor or outdoor? Are they waterproof? What is the wattage?

Lights on a tree can get very hot, so use the most appropriate light and wattage for your tree.

As with tinsel and garlands, ensure your lights are high enough to be out of reach. You don’t want a National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation-style cat mishap!

Candles are another wonderful item for the holidays that can fill your home with light and scents of baking.

Ensure your candles are in sight at all times when they are burning and give them plenty of space.

Put Away Other Seasons’ Decorating Leftovers

Are any Easter eggs still hanging about? Some spooky decorations a few weeks after Halloween? What about Canada Day banners?

Put away any decorative items that are out of season.

It can be extra helpful to put away other decorative items that are brightly coloured.

Fall and holiday decorating are all about reds, greens, oranges, silver and gold.

Embrace this by putting aside any bright pink vases you enjoyed during the summertime.

Coffee Table Decoration

Clear off the usual coffee table books and add a snow globe or cluster of holiday-coloured candles.

Even holiday-coloured candy placed in a nice bowl will add festivity to your coffee table.

Christmas Stockings, but No Mantle?

Ideally, stockings will be hung from the fireplace mantle, but many of us don’t have this living room focal point to use for decorating.

In this case, stockings can be hung from a blank wall with 3M removable Command Hooks, or from the doorknob of the bedroom door.

Hanging the stocking from the bedroom door is a great way to decorate the hallway as well, as the hallway often gets left out of the holiday decoration.

Use Ornaments Everywhere

Hang ornaments from every place in the house where they will not be in the way.

Hang them from the chandelier in the dining room. Hang them from houseplants or coat racks. String them on ribbons and hang them around the bathroom mirror.

When hanging them from a Christmas tree, use ribbon to string them instead of metal hooks to add a higher level of elegance to Christmas tree decorating.

Don’t Forget the Front Door

Hang a wreath or a dried bouquet of holiday-themed plants from the front door.

Adding bells to the wreath or bouquet will add a musical jingling greeting. Adding a poinsettia just outside the front door will add a holiday welcome to you and your guests as they come to your front door.

Finally, check with your landlord or apartment management team to see what their plans are for decorating the common areas of the building.

If you are unable to have a large tree in your own apartment, your landlord may be planning to put one up in the lobby.

Organize a building-wide decorating day and go all out – tree decorations, paper snowflakes and even icicle lights will make your building a winter wonderland.

However you celebrate, have a happy and safe holiday season!

The RentSeeker.ca Team