❄More info on Japanese Winter Hacks ❄on the Blog: www.chanijapan.com/ 🇯🇵Let me know if you have any suggestions for a good inside heater? Or should I just use the split system aircon?
I live in a giant house by myself, so heating isn't just expensive, it's silly (I only stay in certain rooms). While i like it cold, I focus on slippers and heavy robe to move around the cold house. In the past, I used an electric heater - always on the floor, so the heat rises and fills the room, rather than stick around the ceiling. Some pretty nice ones w/timers out there (not sure about Japan though).
I am a big fan of the oil-filled radiators. They're extremely safe, they are very effective, and quite energy efficient. I had one I loved but in my new apartment, the baseboard heaters work well enough. I gave my oil-filled radiator to a friend who is living in a chilly basement apartment. I love your blogs! Millie is adorable. Cheers!
3 person dome tent in the bedroom with an air filled mattress, layer of foam under that. Sleeping bag, comforter..huge pillows..them shiny survival blankets...one on the mattress, the other between the sleeping bag and comforter on top of the extra large sleeping bag.." One Z" pyjamas..thethermos full of hot coco...tablet or smartphone with fireplace video playing...
I'm from Finland, and it gets really cold in the winter. Our houses are well insulated, but I’d suggest considering merino wool socks or pants, they're amazing during the colder months. We also use Finnish hand-knitted wool socks, preferably the ones our grandmas make :D Not sure if Japanese grandmas make something similar... One more tip: the moment you feel cold, try to warm yourself up right away, because if you let the cold get to you, it’ll be much harder to get warm again.
Very good point, I have a hard time explaining to indoor workers what working outside is like and how critical it is for me to return my body temp to normal ASAP when I get home, otherwise it takes hours and I can get sick. Wool is definitely underrated, especially untreated, as it has great properties and doesn't smell.
I'm from an Alpine country and I spend a lot of time outdoors in the cold. The best tip I have is very simple... Always wear a warm, woolen hat. Even indoors or in bed. You lose a lot of body heat through the head. 🤔
@@stephaniehowe0973hi Maine from Montana 👋 wish you guys were closer, but we don’t want any new englanders but Maine lol! Don’t bring VT or NH! 😂 I tried to relocate my family back to Maine (grandma was from hope area), I told my folks that the mountains are lower but will still kill you, in non-summer months the people are cool AF, and the state parks sometimes have ocean beaches! What’s not to love except your missing treeline?? And 2 hours from Boston instead of 2 hrs from Miles city, home of fictional Mike Teavee from Willie Wonka. But we love being isolated beyond belief & having skin like sandpaper…
@standdownrobots_ihaveoldglory Hahaha The new folks across the road are from VT. They seem ok. Our Mountains are much lower. The county I live in is 4 people per sq miles. Plenty of trees but MT has its own beauty
Best not to use wool. It comes from sheep that were used and not living a natural life. Find another source to keep warm or move to where we (humans) are meant to live.
Same here. Popped UA-cam on and this was on my home page. Now subscribed. You’re very informative and have a lovely listenable voice and covered a few interesting topics. And your cat is so cute. Reminds me of my cat from years ago, she was my baby girl
I feel like I’m living in luxury in a German new build apartment with triple glazing and air source heat pump with floor heating. I appreciate it so much.
I live in cold climates (sometimes down to -40C). I would suggest you layer clothing, socks, slippers, long sleeves, sweatshirts/jumpers, robes, etc. If your hands are cold inside, you can get fingerless gloves and even heated mousepads for when you work. Make sure your house isn't drafty. You can find drafts by lighting a candle, closing all the windows and doors, and holding the candle next to the doorframe and window frames. If there is a draft, the flame will blow around. You can seal these drafts to keep the house warm. I also use a heated blanket at night when I sleep.
@@tessalister1226depends on the persons age and culture… I didn’t know them! It’s safer not to assume knowledge based on your own experience. (So thanks OP for writing it out!)
I live in northern Canada. It gets to -50c most winters. Wool and fur are the answer for me. Wool keeps warm even when damp so can be life saving if you need to walk some distance and sweat a little. Love the bubble wrap on windows! Libraries here have thermal imagers to borrow so you can see where you're losing heat in your house. Insulation is so important! Cooking soups and stews and slow roasting meats allow the oven to add warmth. Wearing a fuzzy robe to bed is one of my secrets. It's a blanket that you don't have to take off to move around. Hot water bottles are great for warming beds (wrap in a towel then fuzzy cover and they'll stay warming all night). Sheepskin lined slippers +wool socks. Layers to adjust temperature as needed (especially skirt layers are fantastic). Cozy cashmere scarves with every outfit and wrapped over a hat outside. Fur even just over shoulders adds an amazing amount of warmth. Love your hand warmers, winter rugs, winter curtains. Fluffing up/adding insulation to the attic/ ceiling. Cups of tea to warm hands. I always look to history and people living in poverty in cold climates to find inspiration.
Oh I also add thumb holes to cuffs of sweaters and down filled coats. Then cuffs are an extra layer of hand warmth under mittens. I run cold and often wear a lot of these things even indoors in the winter haha.
@AmandaIsAwesome, excellent list of solutions. Thank you. I live in a much warmer climate but don't like heating the entire house to stay warm in one room. Your comment about look at history makes so much sense. I now use hot water bottles, wool and sheepskin which help immensely. Cheers.
I’m 🇬🇧 and originally from Wales. Wool is brilliant for blankets and a traditional Welsh wool blanket is a thing of beauty as well as super warm. I would prefer cotton or linen sheets then a silk quilt (filling and exterior, but not shiny silk, more expensive but very insulating and anti microbial and also light and airy) then wool blankets over the top if needed. I have under floor heating and don’t need extra heaters, but I always have some wool or alpaca throws to wrap up in if I feel a chill by my large bay window at night. I agree with the advice on seeking out draughts and eliminating them. That’s very important. And layers - a vest and woolly tights or long socks or thermals. And good slippers are always helpful as well as a steaming hot mug of tea in your hands 😀
@user-ui1zv8bd4y They are when they are new, in recent years. If you don't mind the thought of buying used blankets, your local thrift store may have them. I got 3 in the past 2 years. Washed in woolite detergent and air dried. Good as _(almost)_ new... But there's no way that I'll pay $300+ for a king sized blanket. Wish I stocked up 20 years ago when they were fairly cheap.
The delivery lady is super cute and the interaction with her and the guys was also so sweet ❤ She’s been to my house a lot. I could almost invite her in 😂
Former TV producer here and first timer: Wow! Well shot and cleanly edited. Good voiceover. Bet you're a wonderful teacher! Stay warm. I'm from Toronto so I had a laugh. PS 100% wool socks. No polyester!
It's so interesting how many changes one can make in their home in a different season. It seems nice and almost ritualistic to take down the summer items and put out the winter ones
I have fibromyalgia and live in a cold tiny studio with poor windows, I put plastic film which you heat with a hairdryer on the windows, weather sealant strips round the windows, extra pair of curtains on the window, thermal curtains, door sausage, a snuddie wearable sort of long fleece hoodie, electric blanket, tube heaters and flannel pyjamas. Your kitty is gorgeous, loving the funny ballet leaps, and those delivery men, they are so polite and careful, and asking you to test the sofa, they aren't like that in England 😂 Loved the tour round the home shops.
If you wanna get rid of fibro... I hope you bingewatch the video's on youtube> chanel> No Carb Life. Watch them all and i think you will find a way. I cured my fibro...
One of our house cats has trouble staying warm enough indoors in winter because she has a thin furry coat and we keep the thermostat for our heating system on a lower setting to save money. Two years ago, we bought her a heated pet pad to sleep on that has an electric cord with a control that lets us set the heat level and number of hours. The pad's cover is removable and washable. Our cat loves that heating pad and spends many hours each winter curled up on it.
As cats grow older, they tend to get chillier much quicker. I went to a thrift store to purchase human baby t-shirts for her - she loved them!! She snuggled with me and was so much more comfortable than I had seen her before!! That little trick could possibly work for all types of animals!!
I have a heated cat bed too. Got one big enough for all 3 cats but oldest bossy cat stretches out his long body and nips the other cats if they get in. I also use a heated sherpa and velvet throw on the sofa and all the cats come to sit next to me. My electric blanket for my bed just broke but luckily the supermarket had another silentnight one at a bargain price.
Greetings from Tasmania. You have popped up in my feed and I am glad I watched it. I find bamboo sheets keep me warm in winter and cool in summer and I swear by hot water bottles instead of an electric blanket. In winter I double up on my curtains, scrim and heavier ones and am very fortunate to have a wood heater and a great supply of wood. I spent 6 months one winter in Wisconsin USA and they used the bubble wrap on the windows, which worked every where except rooms below ground in sub zero temperatures. Enjoy your time in Japan, I spent 6 weeks there a few years ago and found it an amazing experience, such good, honorable people. I studied Japanese for 6 years at school and my son has gone on to be a Japanese teacher, so Japan is very dear to us. Blessings 🙏
New York State, U.S. here. I use the bubble wrap on all of my windows. I live on top of a hill and get the full force of the wind so now I can keep the heat in and cold out no matter what the temperature is outside. I leave it up all summer on my south facing windows to keep the heat out.
It’s a product of mutual respect-customer service in Japan is excellent in part because the workers are treated well by the customers (no Karens and adults throwing temper tantrums)
I sewed myself a maxi apron with IKEA upholstery fabric to protect my clothes from my dogs and I discovered that it helps keeps me warm in the winter as well. Your apron is super cute and I will be checking out your prison video to learn your story behind it ❤ Thank you for showing us tips and tricks for staying warm in Japan 😊
Get a small kitchen towel wet, ring the water out and put it under your cutting board. It'll prevent it from sliding around and possibly cutting yourself.
Always knew Japan was the place I needed to have been born. That 5 degrees during the entire winter without very much snow sounds like absolute heaven to me after dealing with Canadian winters my whole life.
Customer service in Japan is great...until you go off-script. After that, it's a never-ending nightmare of beating around the bush and passive-aggressive tactics to get you to concede.
@raven_bard you mean unreasonable, greedy, entitled, self-righteous customers. even then, you don't see fists, slaps, verbal or physical attacks on customers that you see in other countries.
@@raven_bard you mean greedy, entitled, unreasonable customers? Japan's customer services is still better than most of the world's customer service where you get verbally or physically (or both) attacked by so-called customer service. If a customer service in Japan is not getting you exactly what you want, go check YOURSELF.
I just found your channel. It's my husband and I. I think like I cook once and we eat for 2 to 3 evenings with it. I'm in my middle 70's I don't like to cook every nite.and it saves on propane, for cooking, and lights for the kitchen.
I pressure can for the same reason....I spend 3 hours canning meals in a jar (about 7 quarts), then I only have to heat them up to eat. That makes 7 meals for 3 hours of cooking, most of the time is spent watching TV while the jars are processing.
I have lived in cold places so I do have some tips! For bedding, I still sleep with regular sheets in winter, but I layer blankets on top. It's easier to wash the sheets regularly, then the blankets don't need to be washed often, maybe once per season. I do use an electric fitted sheet instead of an electric blanket, I think they're a little easier to manage. For clothes, I have wool socks that I often layer over my normal socks. If it's really cold, some thermals under your pants/shirt helps (I like Cuddl Duds or Uniqlo Heattech). Scarves can really help also. Its cheaper to insulate your body than heat your whole house! I also drink a lot more hot tea in the winter to warm up.
I have a crocheted granny square blanket layered between my top sheet and other blankets. The holes trap the air and insulate so well. Plus it was made in the 70s with acrylic so it is as heavy as a weighted blanket!
Those are great suggestions! I wanted to also add that something that has always help me while keeping my heating bills low when it’s winter time are those hot water bottles. You can get them usually from a drugstore, I don’t know if they have them in Japan or not though, but I bet that they do. They’re made of rubber and you just filled them halfway with tapwater and then halfway with boiled water, and they usually stay hot the entire night. I also have a cozy that goes over them, which keeps them warmer even longer. I put them in bed with me or on my coach and put one on my lower back or abdomen. They make a huge difference.
As a heating suggestion I use a oil filled radiator. They are one of the cheapest heaters to run as well as being noiseless. Unlike a lot of other types of heaters you can get one with with a thermostat so you can choose the temperature you want it to turn off/on which makes them safer as well. A lot of the other types of heaters I worry about fire safety, especially having pets that may knock them over.
I was born and raised in Alaska, these are all great tips. Hot water bottles are another good thing to use, especially in bed or when sitting on the couch. I also like the rice bags that you can microwave, and they double nicely for any pain that needs heat. Don't wait to warm up, it'll be more difficult if you get too cold. And the only other thing I can really think of to add currently is to wear loose cotton breathable pajamas. If your skin can't breathe while encased in synthetic materials, you're more likely to perspire which will make you damp, and as sweat rapidly cools you'll find yourself getting very cold. And the benefits of sleeping cooler are, cooler temperatures help you acquire deeper sleep, sleep faster, increase the quality of REM sleep, lowers the risk of metabolic diseases like diabetes, and regulates melatonin levels to be more ideal.
I love how polite the delivery guys are. They aren’t that polite here in Canada. I had a chuckle watching Millie getting out the way of the vacuum cleaner.
When i was a kid living a drafting house in one of the few cold places in Australia i would always put a blanket on my bed instead of a sheet and have a quilt as well. I was nice and toasty. Nice to see i wasn't the only one who does that.
The staying warm tips are interesting, especially the under carpet heater. When cooing those one pot meals you can also take some into work and reheat it. I've seen people make the broth separately and pour it into ice cube trays so that they can only use as much as they need for each meal or day.
I have a converted bus. I made panels that fit in each window. They’re 5 layers. There’s a piece of bubble wrap in the middle, 2 pieces of coroplast, then covered in blackout curtains. We drove to Alaska and those panels saved us from the constant daylight plus insulation.
I had a nice experience with the kotatsu decades ago when I visited Kyushu (Yame-shi) and stayed in an old, traditional Japanese house (complete with a thatched roof!). All floors were tatami (except for the kitchen, bath and "western room". Warmed by a deep, immersive bath we then sat at the kotatsu and had tea and traditional Japanese sweets (sweet bean sandwiched between small "pancakes"- I forget the Japanese word for it). I stayed warm and comfy for HOURS! What a memorable experience! The kotatsu can be very effective!
That was great that your coworkers and students offered you some tips. I really love your new couch! Your website is expanding its offerings all the time. Thank you.
Wow what got my attention was the gracious service of the delivery men. They were so attentive. I’m an Aussie living in Victoria and gets pretty cold in winter and I don’t use heaters at all mainly because of the cost for nearly 7 years now but to stay warm I wear really warm jumpers and I always have a warm blanket to throw over me when I read at night. For food I always tend to cook hearty soups or things that are healthy (always) but grounding. I really appreciate your channel so thank you.🙏
What is your preferred way to make it stick? I have picture frame windows 🪟 and i want to make sure I dont leave sticky marks with tape. Cello tape may be my go-to.
@p_roduct9211 I just use a light spray of plain water. Spray the glass. Put the cut to size bubble wrap on the glass, bubbles facing toward the glass. That's it. No tape or glue involved.
@@diannesquyres4493 I would give it a go. They are only 'sweating'because the warm air is condensing on the cold surface so bubble wrap should help with that.
I would recommend a radiant oil heater. It’s quite safe, and the air won’t come out as dry as ceramic heater. An added benefit is that you can put the hanging rack next to it for faster drying clothes.
I had and still have a DeLonghi (spelling may not be correct) when my children were young. I love that heater. And, yes, I have dried a lot of snowy socks by hanging them next to the heater.
Well, this was a pleasant surprise from UA-cam. We are starting to get chilly in Pennsylvania, USA, as well. When our furnace was out, I used my winter coat as a blanket. Between that, the cats and the dog piling on, I woke up sweating! LOL This was my first visit to your channel, and I'm definitely subscribing. I've never been to Japan or Australia, but I hope to someday. Looking forward to the next video!
Living in sweden, here are a few things besides just adding more layers of clothes; A semi-portable burner. We can buy fairly cheaply ethanol-based stoves/burners that will heat a room real cheap and if it's a small house even the entire hosue. It has no emissions since it fully burns the ethanol. Also electric blankets, basically the same as your heated mat, but you can set the heat levels and take it with you wherever you are in the house.
ethanol is cleaner burning than natural gas, so unless you're paranoid about your kitchen gas range, there's no concern about burning ethanol indoors. I am curious if these are open-burner trangia or gel fuel sterno burners -- is there a radiating element that you put on top of them, or purpose-built ethanol room heater?
I live in Canada so I had a giggle when you mentioned 5 degrees. Imagine keeping warm at minus 30C with wind chill making it minus 40! You learn real quick to layer up, thermal drapes, down filled duvets, thick flannel sheets, warm slippers and wool sox. Layer up clothing, warm boots, gloves hats and scarves are a must. Your hacks should work very well and I hope you stay toasty warm this winter!
I'm in Michigan, I debate if I even want to bother with a hoodie at 5 degrees. High school boys don't think about long pants until the temp drops to -17 (or 0 for us).
I think it depends on the isolation of the homes as well. I live in South of France, where the outside temperature stays at around 10, but without heating our apartment is at 15/16, with heating maybe 18/19. But I'm always too hot when I visit my family in Germany, because it's nice and cozy inside, even though it's much colder outside.
@@butterbee2163😅I live also in the south of France ( Hyères) and I have exactly the same temperatures as you, inside. And honestly, when the Mistral blows it can be very miserable : 15 max in my shower room 🥶
I have a retired greyhound, a dog with no subcutaneous fat and delicate skin, plus he really really likes his creature comforts. The look of joy on his face when I brought out his winter fleece bed time coat was something to see. Once in bed he has a pure wool blanket to cover him. If it’s really cold he’ll wear the fleece in the daytime too, together with a knitted snood. For humans I recommend pure merino wool next to the skin, lots of lightweight layers and to keep the lower legs and feet as warm as possible with thermals and long socks. I have just treated myself to some wool felt slippers with real sheepskin lining and strong supportive insoles and soles - I’m in heaven. May the winter months be kind to one and all and if it gets a bit nippy a microwaveable gel “water bottle” in a protective cover tucked in against your tummy is warming and comforting, also useful for warming the hands on.
@janegreen9340 I was wondering if you could share the brand name of the slippers you mentioned. They sound like exactly what I would need! 😊 I hope that your greyhound stays warm and cozy throughout the cold months ahead. I'm picturing how cute he must be with his outfits and snuggled in bed. 😄
Best not to use wool. It comes from sheep that were used and not living a natural life. Find another source to keep warm. But good for you for rescuing a dog instead of buying one.
Your vibe is so cozy! Even if you are only one, cooking yourself some nice meals saves money, time, energy...i dont mind eating the same think of of days, specially if its a meal you enjoy and know its tasty and healthy.
Dear Chani, old wrinklie writing from DK currently (having lived in 2 other European countries). I have been to Japan once and if my health stays good I might do a monastery stay (currently training for that possibility). I now live in a 64 sq metre ground floor flat in an old 8 apartment building (1901). There are French windows in the kitchen, leading to the garden. This is the warmest place (my flat) I have ever lived in. A few hacks humbly suggested. 1) double glazing and newer buildings have triple. All outside doors and windows close tightly and hermetically. 2) I only heat the whole flat with a wood burner (briquettes and ready cut logs delivered on palettes called "towers") because the radiators are too expensive. 3) we have a collective tumbler dryer (added bcse seeing you going to the local one). 4) Garden shed to stack the wood 5). Personal hack because old : I sleep in a nightie (I bought warm pyjamas but they are too hot for the moment) and a scarf around my neck which seems to be getting stiffer with age. I am writing this to you from the kitchen with no heating on (Nov 2024) and I won't light the wood burner until maybe 3 or 4 p.m. I am wearing a cardigan. My flat has a corridor and separate rooms but somehow the wood burner keeps the whole place warm. I have leg warmers, vests, fur waistcoat but I have never needed them yet. I still walk 4km every day unless the weather is exceptionally bad for a wrinklie. P.S. I really enjoy your channel and hope to be reborn Japanese.
All good except for using "fur". Best not to use part of a tortured animal. It comes from someone who was abused and not living a natural life. Find another source to keep warm.
@carolbarrett6492 I bought the fur waistcoat in a second hand shop FYI and what is your message for American Indians who needed the buffalo to survive? Or the inhabitants of Siberia at minus50 degreesuberia
@carolbarrett6492 was cut off. I wanted to add also people who need to eat meat to survive, like the Laplanders? I think surely the point is to live as consciously as possible when possible because you don't know the human heart of everyone. Many Buddhist monks will eat meat if that is what they are given/offered and I understand that completely. Maybe it is good not to eat fish but I would not dictate that to an Eskimo or anyone else. I believe these things can be respected in a sacred way rather than telling people what they should or should not eat or wear en masse. I have seen monks eat fish, meat if offered and others who do not. It is not for me to tell them how to live.
I live in Tokyo. I was gobsmacked when my winter bill, without the use of any heater was greater than my summer one when I blasted the a/c 12 hours a day.. I got so fed up with the dodgy billing, I tested every main switch. Since turning off 3 main switches, I've been saving ¥3000-5000 a month! I only turn on the hot water main switch every 3 days. It's such an energy saver.
I find that Any clothing that is silk lines is wonderful to keep warm: silk is so tightly woven that it keeps cold out & body warmth in. I’m most comfortable wearing silk (not polyester, not satin) next to the skin & wool over the silk. Cozy.
I have a thick fluffy robe that really makes a difference! Basically like wearing a blanket lol. Plus thick fluffy socks. And then recently a game-changer for me was essentially a pair of thick fingerless gloves. My hands and feet get cold very easily, but I find when they're warm I feel warmer overall!
Great way to save on energy us to buy solar or use rechargeable lighting such as lamps or candles. During the day solar charge. Or usb charge. Some have 8-12hrs battery life. Some also have 24hrs. While wax candles are nice... you'll have to rebut once it's empty. Nice video. Will do the bubble wrap on my windows.
Consider a ceramic heater. This is a very eficient heater that uses less electricity due to the fact that the ceramic elements retain heat. They are very portable and can be moved from room to room.
New here, and very much appreciated the ideas to have a warmer cozier winter. Heating costs are up in the USA, but I use vintage metal hot water bottles, fuzzy blankets like you, cotton flannel sheet, etc. The bubble wrap on the windows is a most excellent idea.
Our American HVAC system went out over 2 years ago. We heat our house with LED Fireplace heaters, and our bathrooms with small ceramic heaters. We clean filters at least once a month. We have Comforters (Duvets), lots of blankets, and for me, long fleece-lined hoodie type bathrobes - almost like a warm sleeping sack - that reaches the floor. In Idaho we have several months where temps dip into 20°Farenheit and we stay toasty
In case of heaters, infrared panels are said to be the best (price/heat), they are a bit bigger, but can go on the wall or ceiling. Mine is just standing on little feet and can be taken to whereever I want it. Best heat I ever had and within the past 40 years, we tried a lot. Greetings from snowy Germany!
@@ChaniJapan They work like sunshine, they don`t heat the air but your couch, floor, whatever is around. They are perfect for rooms that haven`t got the best insulation, or for shops that have doors that open and close all the time. They make no noise and create no more airflow than sunshine, but take half a hour to get a room from cold to cozy, so a timer is usefull. Mine is a 550 W panel I got for 55 Euros, easily good enough for 5x5 m rooms. Right now I have changed to central heating, I have floor heating through water, which is one of the nicest heats you could get in Germany and it doesn`t feel much different then the heat from the infrared panel.
I live in one of the cold parts of Canada. It is common for us to have at some kind of pretty blanket or knitted/crocheted afghan nicely draped on our couch/sofa/chair, and when guests are not around we curl up with it while watching tv. Personally, I sleep with a hot water bottle, various layers of blankets, and a duvet on the really cold nights. Fuzzy blankets work best inside, and more sturdy blankets on top. When winter came around my grandma used to break out the flannel sheets.
The blankets there sound like what I would call "polar fleece". I like flanelette sheets as well. I pre-heat my bathroom with an oil fin heater and have a hot shower right before bed time. I generally dont heat my whole house, just layer up and wear ugh boots. I have used the bubble wrap insulation on windows and it is great for both summer and winter.
It's good to use these felt dryer balls when you dry things in the dryer. Because it makes things dry a lot faster and with less money. They're kind of like tennis balls that are covered in felt.
Hello! Nice video on keeping warm in Japan, it is a bit funny for me Canadian woman, us 5 degres is pretty nice… but very good ideas all together. I just wanted to warn you on your beautiful new sofa, I have seen a video this of a cat’s tail getting stuck in the sofa’s motor… the cat had to have his tail amputated because of the damage, be mindful if your beautiful cat is around when your using your sofa! ❤
a bit like we used to do in Scandinavia in old houses. tapestries / blankets that hung a few cm from the wall and created a small air layer that stopped the cold radiation from the wall. rugs on the floor. extra panes of glass on the inside of the window
Yep, that's my suggestion too. They are my only heat source and they work great. I have two: living room and bedroom. Plan to buy one more. Very inexpensive as well!
I agree with this. Mine is extremely effective. I lived in a 1-bedroom apartment in similar 40-45 degree winter weather, using it as my only heat source. It worked so well.
I live in Tokyo and that's what we use. It takes a while for the room to heat up so get one with a timer to come on before you get home. But the heat is warm and comforting and there is no air blowing around, kicking up dust. Very economical, too.
Been using a oil heater in my back porch every winter because I have a window open 24/7 for my cats to enter the cattio. Even in -40. It's open year round and the oil heater works amazing! Best $100 I've spent.
The velvet feel blankets with the electric blanket idea saved my butt when I was renting a an old house during a bad winter. My late grandfather gave me a microfiber blanket and an electric blanket as birthday/holiday gifts one year, and I would put the microfiber blanket fluffy side down, then the electric blanket, then two comforters. The heat was evenly distributed with the microfiber blanket and kept in by the comforters (my bed was an air mattress and I had to sleep in a hoodie and thick jammies every night, and this was in the States). I swear, it was so was in just ten minutes. I know that the electric blanket had a warning label on not to sleep with it on, but it was that or freeze. Boy, was it so warm, though! Absolutely luxurious! Also, yeah, you need to ventilate with a kerosene heater, but one of those kept our home warm during a blizzard in 1993. Those can be life savers if you know how to use them properly and have enough space to use one in. And your car is so cute! Love the color!
Japanese are very clever when it comes to improving consumer goods like this. Especially making stuff compact. I didn’t know the bubble wrap hack either. Very cool.
I love the way you decorate your place-it's clean, neat, and cozy. Your soup bowl looks delicious! It's amazing how you're able to leave your home, move to a new and unfamiliar place with no family, and continue with your life so effortlessly. That's such an admirable trait. Like you, I also cook enough to eat for a few days. It saves money, reduces food waste, and saves time.
Completely random comment but I love the size of your kitchen sink. I'm going to remove my 1.5 bowl sink soon and install a big single bowl. So much more practical. As for keeping warm, I like to bake things so not only do I get a hot meal, but it heats up my kitchen a bit too 😊
My grandmother had a large bowl sink with no divider. I remember her having a large plastic bowl in it that she left full of soapy water for us to put our silverware or other tiny dishes into so they could soak. She would also put our plates and cups into the sink to let them sit in hot soapy water for about 20 minutes before doing the dishes. That 20 minutes usually softened up most difficult food stains and made light stains or caked on food a breeze to clean or wipe off! With a cat or any other animal that might frequent a countertop, I wouldn't put soap into the water unless I had a wooden board to cover the sink, so the animal couldn't get into or drink the soapy water. Another tip is to use an unused dryer fabric softener sheet to get rid of horribly stuck on food stains or worse in oven dishes/pots/pans and leave it overnight (some items, like cast iron, might need to be re-seasoned after a soapy wash), but I ensure my cats can't get into it by covering it with either a lid or a cutting board. Given time and hot water, the dryer sheet releases a product that loosens even the worst of burnt on food far better than soap and elbow grease! I usually check it after an overnight soak, clean what I can, and then soak it again with hot water and another fresh dryer sheet. This process saved one of my grandmother's prized huge baking pots that I inherited and use for big family or party occasions.
Hello from Tampa Bay Florida! As you might expect, I don’t have a lot of ideas to add about staying warm……our AC system is configured for maximum cooling, it has what they call a “heat strip” that serves as a heating element, but it is costly to run on those few days that we might need it. Instead we bundle up and use a few small space heaters in the areas of our home that we spend significant time in. Love, love, love your videos. I am living vicariously through your adventures! Thank you for sharing.
I made myself a wearable blanket which is basically an extra large floor length hoodie with a large front pôcket where I can keep stuff and my hands warm;
i hang a blanket over my front/back door, i roll up towel for bottom of door. I cook crockpot meals for 4/8 hrs it heats kitchen. Long granny gowns, body pillow to curl up
Thank you! I'm doiing all that right now. My winter hack consists of two sheepskin rugs (each is four hides sewn together.) One goes under the blanket I sleep on, the other OVER the blanket on top of me. Also fleecy hat and socks!
My heating tips for spaces without central air/heat: Multiple blankets on the beds. Doors/curtains between places you want to keep the heat in, keeping in mind heat rises. Fans, yeah it seems weird but circulating that heat off the ceiling will help, just turn them up enough to move the air around. The window curtains are awesome. Make sure you keep heat in your areas with water so that the pipes don't decide to freeze. I also keep small blankets on the couch and areas where I want to keep warm. I've also seen some folks have a shoji door between the genkan and the rest of the house as an extra barrier and sort of 'air lock', but these were mostly more north or in the mountains.
I use bubble wrap for my large conservatory doors and it works a treat. I would also recommend getting an electric throw (not blanket) to put over the back of your lovely new sofa (hope it survives Millie's claws 🤣)and have it on a nice low heat that warms your back, and you can also bring it over you and wrap yourself in it if you want to feel more cosy. Also, as has already been suggested, definitely get a slow cooker - you can put everything in it and go off to work/play and when you come home, you will have a nice hot meal waiting for you. I also have an Instant Pot, which I love because you can do everything in it. Love Millie's mad moment 🤣🤣.
Really nice that you make your own meals. Perhaps you could explain what that is which I think is lotus root that you’re cutting up? What does it taste like?
The bubble wrap on windows is a very good tip. You made it look so cozy, very nice. We use afghans or fleece lap type blankets in our living room all winter while sitting to read or watching television. I like to wear long sweatshirts and leggings in the house with either cottage socks or slippers. I prefer the thick socks. We also drink more hot beverages. The only room we need a space heater is the bathroom. The one we use is 500-Watt Oil-Filled Radiant Electric Space Heater with Thermostat. It looks like a radiator. We keep it on the lowest setting and only need to use it when it's very cold. Does not make a big difference to our electric bill.
Oil filled radiant portable heaters with a thermostat and timer. I have used them for years. I keep a small one in the bathroom and one in the bedroom or living room. Being portable they can be moved from room to room. I keep it on the lowest setting. It’s safe, quiet and economical. Also keeps a relatively constant temperature throughout the room.
There’s no heater more efficient than a split system. They are more than 100% efficient which no other type of heater can achieve. I think you’ll find that after you’ve insulated your windows, if you run the split systems on a low fan speed (the fan is the most power hungry part), you’ll find them pretty cheap to run.
When we had days without electricity in South Africa, I used a 9kg heater on wheels with a gas cylinder - warmed the house instantly. Then, a butane single plate camper stove to cook everything from fry-ups to Japanese dishes and stews. Also handy to take camping. Saves a mint boiling the kettle too. Love the no-sheets idea, and ALWAYS have an electric blanket. Thanks for the shopping trip Chani, and the giggle, Millie.
Keeping your feet warm is crucial in staying warm overall. Consider getting double layered socks with plush inside and knitting on the outside. Also house shoes with a really thick rubber sole work well
You can stick a WiFi switch on the electric blanket and switch it on via your phone 15 minutes before you go to bed. The blankets themselves run at 30W full power so no need to skimp. I really love mine for the minimal cost. You can also get smaller ones to sit on on the sofa - again 30W or so to keep you warm in the living room without firing up the carpet. I'm currently looking at internal secondary windows for a few thousand yen to try before I replace my single pane window glass.
Not living in japan but here in a cold area of germany and also trying to save on money around heating, for my bedding I am using an outdoor blanket with that isolation layer as an upper layer and underneath normal blanket in which I can wrap myself up. The heat stays inside, you feel super cozy while the colder air stays outside. The outdoor blanket rustles a bit but when you're sleeping you hear nothing of it so it's also save to use for any fellow hypersensitive person out there, too.
Get a good Winter/Cold weather sleeping blanket and unzip it and use it as you would a regular blanket or you can leave it zipped up if it's really cold and put the other blankets over you as normal. Longhandle underwear is great too.
We use diff curtains in the cold months. They block out the cold. Btw, the curtains can be used year round actually to block out sun if trying to keep home cooler. They even block out noise if it’s noisy outside or you have loud neighbors. Anyway, we noticed a huge difference in our electricity bill since we live in an older building.
People used to put plastic on their windows in the United States back in the day to keep the cold out. It was a heavy duty plastic that you sealed on with a heat gun. Not sure if people still do this, but it's similiar to the bubble wrap. I also love that you cooked for this video.
Plastic window kits are still heavily used especially in the upper Midwest where I live. However it's most effective if you seal the entire window and frame and not just the glass. Most of the cold air comes in through cracks and gaps around the window and frame.
❄More info on Japanese Winter Hacks ❄on the Blog: www.chanijapan.com/ 🇯🇵Let me know if you have any suggestions for a good inside heater? Or should I just use the split system aircon?
Oil filled electric radiator
I live in a giant house by myself, so heating isn't just expensive, it's silly (I only stay in certain rooms). While i like it cold, I focus on slippers and heavy robe to move around the cold house. In the past, I used an electric heater - always on the floor, so the heat rises and fills the room, rather than stick around the ceiling. Some pretty nice ones w/timers out there (not sure about Japan though).
I am a big fan of the oil-filled radiators. They're extremely safe, they are very effective, and quite energy efficient. I had one I loved but in my new apartment, the baseboard heaters work well enough. I gave my oil-filled radiator to a friend who is living in a chilly basement apartment. I love your blogs! Millie is adorable. Cheers!
3 person dome tent in the bedroom with an air filled mattress, layer of foam under that. Sleeping bag, comforter..huge pillows..them shiny survival blankets...one on the mattress, the other between the sleeping bag and comforter on top of the extra large sleeping bag.." One Z" pyjamas..thethermos full of hot coco...tablet or smartphone with fireplace video playing...
Infrared heater.
I'm from Finland, and it gets really cold in the winter. Our houses are well insulated, but I’d suggest considering merino wool socks or pants, they're amazing during the colder months. We also use Finnish hand-knitted wool socks, preferably the ones our grandmas make :D Not sure if Japanese grandmas make something similar... One more tip: the moment you feel cold, try to warm yourself up right away, because if you let the cold get to you, it’ll be much harder to get warm again.
Can’t beat wool for warmth and it’s self cleaning, doesn’t end up stinky like some man made fabrics.
Very good point, I have a hard time explaining to indoor workers what working outside is like and how critical it is for me to return my body temp to normal ASAP when I get home, otherwise it takes hours and I can get sick. Wool is definitely underrated, especially untreated, as it has great properties and doesn't smell.
I also learned that when I moved to Norway from Portugal. I had no idea about using wool close to the skin
Excellent advice 👍, I add a knitted hat 🙂, but I’m single 😉
Merino wool is amazing stuff.
I'm from an Alpine country and I spend a lot of time outdoors in the cold. The best tip I have is very simple... Always wear a warm, woolen hat. Even indoors or in bed. You lose a lot of body heat through the head. 🤔
Your neck too.
Not an Alpine country myself.
Maine top left corner of the States.
Yes and feet too . Some nice cashmere socks + hat will help stop body heat escaping. 🙂
@@stephaniehowe0973hi Maine from Montana 👋 wish you guys were closer, but we don’t want any new englanders but Maine lol! Don’t bring VT or NH! 😂 I tried to relocate my family back to Maine (grandma was from hope area), I told my folks that the mountains are lower but will still kill you, in non-summer months the people are cool AF, and the state parks sometimes have ocean beaches! What’s not to love except your missing treeline?? And 2 hours from Boston instead of 2 hrs from Miles city, home of fictional Mike Teavee from Willie Wonka. But we love being isolated beyond belief & having skin like sandpaper…
@standdownrobots_ihaveoldglory
Hahaha The new folks across the road are from VT.
They seem ok.
Our Mountains are much lower.
The county I live in is 4 people per sq miles.
Plenty of trees but MT has its own beauty
Best not to use wool. It comes from sheep that were used and not living a natural life. Find another source to keep warm or move to where we (humans) are meant to live.
I've no idea how the algorithm decided I needed to see your channel, but I'm so glad it did!! This is awesome ❤
Welcome to the channel! ❤️
Cold winter incoming.
Me either! I live in the tropics! I will share this with my northern friends and family.
Same here. Popped UA-cam on and this was on my home page. Now subscribed. You’re very informative and have a lovely listenable voice and covered a few interesting topics. And your cat is so cute. Reminds me of my cat from years ago, she was my baby girl
Same here!!!😃
I'm a big fan of hot water bottles which I put in my bed to warm it up and then cuddle with. I think Millie would also love it
Don't you have heating pads?
Microwaveable grain pillows are my personal favorite. They are more moldable than water bottles and bear no risk at starting a fire
I feel like I’m living in luxury in a German new build apartment with triple glazing and air source heat pump with floor heating. I appreciate it so much.
Floor heating sounds amazing!
@ it’s great when you mop the floor and it dries almost immediately
It will make your body weaker eventually 😔, especially if you use Ac in summer
@ we don’t have ac in Germany. We regularly open the windows wide though. I don’t know how having a warm place makes us weaker?
@@Joliefleur252 It in no way makes you weaker to have your home heated to a comfortable temperature
Millie’s little zoomie is the best!
😽she looked like a rabbit
Maybe due to the emfs
I live in cold climates (sometimes down to -40C). I would suggest you layer clothing, socks, slippers, long sleeves, sweatshirts/jumpers, robes, etc. If your hands are cold inside, you can get fingerless gloves and even heated mousepads for when you work. Make sure your house isn't drafty. You can find drafts by lighting a candle, closing all the windows and doors, and holding the candle next to the doorframe and window frames. If there is a draft, the flame will blow around. You can seal these drafts to keep the house warm. I also use a heated blanket at night when I sleep.
Think these are well known.
@@tessalister1226depends on the persons age and culture… I didn’t know them! It’s safer not to assume knowledge based on your own experience. (So thanks OP for writing it out!)
Thanks for the tip! I will definitive trying it out!
@@cjs2587 Be careful to leave some ventilation though especially if you are burning fuel, otherwise carbon monoxide can build up.
@@tessalister1226 I didn't know all of them.
I live in northern Canada. It gets to -50c most winters. Wool and fur are the answer for me. Wool keeps warm even when damp so can be life saving if you need to walk some distance and sweat a little. Love the bubble wrap on windows! Libraries here have thermal imagers to borrow so you can see where you're losing heat in your house. Insulation is so important! Cooking soups and stews and slow roasting meats allow the oven to add warmth. Wearing a fuzzy robe to bed is one of my secrets. It's a blanket that you don't have to take off to move around. Hot water bottles are great for warming beds (wrap in a towel then fuzzy cover and they'll stay warming all night). Sheepskin lined slippers +wool socks. Layers to adjust temperature as needed (especially skirt layers are fantastic). Cozy cashmere scarves with every outfit and wrapped over a hat outside. Fur even just over shoulders adds an amazing amount of warmth. Love your hand warmers, winter rugs, winter curtains. Fluffing up/adding insulation to the attic/ ceiling. Cups of tea to warm hands. I always look to history and people living in poverty in cold climates to find inspiration.
Oh I also add thumb holes to cuffs of sweaters and down filled coats. Then cuffs are an extra layer of hand warmth under mittens. I run cold and often wear a lot of these things even indoors in the winter haha.
@AmandaIsAwesome, excellent list of solutions. Thank you. I live in a much warmer climate but don't like heating the entire house to stay warm in one room. Your comment about look at history makes so much sense. I now use hot water bottles, wool and sheepskin which help immensely. Cheers.
Love your ideas. Again I am like where is my bathrobe!
It's long & fleece.
I myself live in Maine. 100% -40° Is possible
"Meats" are the body parts of someone who was tortured. Go vegan.
I’m 🇬🇧 and originally from Wales. Wool is brilliant for blankets and a traditional Welsh wool blanket is a thing of beauty as well as super warm. I would prefer cotton or linen sheets then a silk quilt (filling and exterior, but not shiny silk, more expensive but very insulating and anti microbial and also light and airy) then wool blankets over the top if needed. I have under floor heating and don’t need extra heaters, but I always have some wool or alpaca throws to wrap up in if I feel a chill by my large bay window at night. I agree with the advice on seeking out draughts and eliminating them. That’s very important. And layers - a vest and woolly tights or long socks or thermals. And good slippers are always helpful as well as a steaming hot mug of tea in your hands 😀
I love my wool socks!!!
In the US bay blankets are expensive but very warm
@user-ui1zv8bd4y They are when they are new, in recent years. If you don't mind the thought of buying used blankets, your local thrift store may have them. I got 3 in the past 2 years. Washed in woolite detergent and air dried. Good as _(almost)_ new... But there's no way that I'll pay $300+ for a king sized blanket. Wish I stocked up 20 years ago when they were fairly cheap.
Welsh blankets look pretty but are very itchy.go for throws, much nicer
Best not to use wool. It comes from sheep that were used and not living a natural life. Find another source to keep warm.
That's some top notch customer service from the delivery guys. And you gotta love that friendly next door vibe of Kansai from that delivery obachan!
The delivery lady is super cute and the interaction with her and the guys was also so sweet ❤ She’s been to my house a lot. I could almost invite her in 😂
Really great video since japanese houses have bad insulation. Love the kansai accent
We got some great delivery guys where we live. We are older and they really go the extra mile for us- thanks FedEx and UPS.
Japanese customer service is truly in a class of its own!
Former TV producer here and first timer: Wow! Well shot and cleanly edited. Good voiceover. Bet you're a wonderful teacher! Stay warm. I'm from Toronto so I had a laugh. PS 100% wool socks. No polyester!
That really means a lot. Thank you so much for the kind comment. 😃
Cashmere socks are wonderful. Nice for holiday gifts!
Here in Scotland I get a brand of socks that are a lambswool and silk blend. They are excellent year round as it is rarely truly warm!
Best not to use wool. It comes from sheep that were used and not living a natural life. Find another source to keep warm.
It's so interesting how many changes one can make in their home in a different season. It seems nice and almost ritualistic to take down the summer items and put out the winter ones
I think so too! It’s a lot of fun to switch things up 😊
I have fibromyalgia and live in a cold tiny studio with poor windows, I put plastic film which you heat with a hairdryer on the windows, weather sealant strips round the windows, extra pair of curtains on the window, thermal curtains, door sausage, a snuddie wearable sort of long fleece hoodie, electric blanket, tube heaters and flannel pyjamas.
Your kitty is gorgeous, loving the funny ballet leaps, and those delivery men, they are so polite and careful, and asking you to test the sofa, they aren't like that in England 😂
Loved the tour round the home shops.
@@JasmineSurrealVideos thanks so much ❤️
Cellfood drops cares Fibromyalgia!! Get it! I do almost double the label info
Put a wool rug on the wall by your bed. It will keep your room extra warm and less noise. It's very common practice in certain countries.
If you wanna get rid of fibro...
I hope you bingewatch the video's on youtube> chanel> No Carb Life.
Watch them all and i think you will find a way.
I cured my fibro...
I have used the plastic wrap/hair dryer method. You don't even know it is there. It works well.
I am currently struggling with some issues, and this video made me feel a little bit better 😭😭😭 thank you so much, wishing you a warm winter.
I hope the issues become less for you very soon, and that you can settle in to a warm, cosy and ease-ful Winter. Gentle hugs to you.
So kind of you...🤗@@zephyrchick6434
@ how sweet of you 😭😭😭 , same wishes for you too , what an angel you are 😭😭😭.
Thanks for putting the bouncy cat again at the end of the video, you know what people need. :D
❤🎉🎉🎉🎉
Slippers with a rubber sole. Much better than socks! Flannel pajamas. The ceramic heaters work like a dream for small, cold bathrooms, too.
Made me laugh watching the cat prancing on the green carpet! Kitty filled with joy 🎉
One of our house cats has trouble staying warm enough indoors in winter because she has a thin furry coat and we keep the thermostat for our heating system on a lower setting to save money. Two years ago, we bought her a heated pet pad to sleep on that has an electric cord with a control that lets us set the heat level and number of hours. The pad's cover is removable and washable. Our cat loves that heating pad and spends many hours each winter curled up on it.
As cats grow older, they tend to get chillier much quicker. I went to a thrift store to purchase human baby t-shirts for her - she loved them!! She snuggled with me and was so much more comfortable than I had seen her before!! That little trick could possibly work for all types of animals!!
I have a heated cat bed too. Got one big enough for all 3 cats but oldest bossy cat stretches out his long body and nips the other cats if they get in. I also use a heated sherpa and velvet throw on the sofa and all the cats come to sit next to me. My electric blanket for my bed just broke but luckily the supermarket had another silentnight one at a bargain price.
Greetings from Tasmania. You have popped up in my feed and I am glad I watched it. I find bamboo sheets keep me warm in winter and cool in summer and I swear by hot water bottles instead of an electric blanket. In winter I double up on my curtains, scrim and heavier ones and am very fortunate to have a wood heater and a great supply of wood. I spent 6 months one winter in Wisconsin USA and they used the bubble wrap on the windows, which worked every where except rooms below ground in sub zero temperatures. Enjoy your time in Japan, I spent 6 weeks there a few years ago and found it an amazing experience, such good, honorable people. I studied Japanese for 6 years at school and my son has gone on to be a Japanese teacher, so Japan is very dear to us. Blessings 🙏
New York State, U.S. here. I use the bubble wrap on all of my windows. I live on top of a hill and get the full force of the wind so now I can keep the heat in and cold out no matter what the temperature is outside. I leave it up all summer on my south facing windows to keep the heat out.
omg , i wish all delivery people were the same. That's one thing about Japan that rocks my world and that is their work ethic, it's brilliant.
They also drop dead from work related stress and long hours. There are downsides to everything. Young people as well as the older ones.
It’s a product of mutual respect-customer service in Japan is excellent in part because the workers are treated well by the customers (no Karens and adults throwing temper tantrums)
I can highly recommend an oil radiator. It stays warm for a long even if you switch it off.
I've had one; when took it out again in nov to use I discovered it had leaked its oil in summer (stored in my wardrobe).
I sewed myself a maxi apron with IKEA upholstery fabric to protect my clothes from my dogs and I discovered that it helps keeps me warm in the winter as well. Your apron is super cute and I will be checking out your prison video to learn your story behind it ❤ Thank you for showing us tips and tricks for staying warm in Japan 😊
Glad you enjoyed the video! I hope your apron keeps you warm and comfy. 😸
Get a small kitchen towel wet, ring the water out and put it under your cutting board. It'll prevent it from sliding around and possibly cutting yourself.
Always knew Japan was the place I needed to have been born. That 5 degrees during the entire winter without very much snow sounds like absolute heaven to me after dealing with Canadian winters my whole life.
Be careful where you go, though. Some places in Japan can rival Canada for snowfall. 😊
The customer service in Japan is 2nd to none, love Japan!! it's so much better than other countries.
I've also been amazed with customer service in Japan.
Totally agree. Nowhere's perfect and there are issues everywhere but pound for pound, how could anybody not agree with your last sentence??!! 🎯💯💯🗾💝
Customer service in Japan is great...until you go off-script. After that, it's a never-ending nightmare of beating around the bush and passive-aggressive tactics to get you to concede.
@raven_bard you mean unreasonable, greedy, entitled, self-righteous customers. even then, you don't see fists, slaps, verbal or physical attacks on customers that you see in other countries.
@@raven_bard you mean greedy, entitled, unreasonable customers? Japan's customer services is still better than most of the world's customer service where you get verbally or physically (or both) attacked by so-called customer service. If a customer service in Japan is not getting you exactly what you want, go check YOURSELF.
Hi Iam from Germany and came across your channel. It is so nice and cosy to see a mature woman in Japan living her well organized life.
Thanks so much ❤️
I just found your channel. It's my husband and I. I think like I cook once and we eat for 2 to 3 evenings with it. I'm in my middle 70's I don't like to cook every nite.and it saves on propane, for cooking, and lights for the kitchen.
I am glad you found my channel! It's always so nice to meet someone new and learn from each other. ❤️
I pressure can for the same reason....I spend 3 hours canning meals in a jar (about 7 quarts), then I only have to heat them up to eat. That makes 7 meals for 3 hours of cooking, most of the time is spent watching TV while the jars are processing.
I have lived in cold places so I do have some tips! For bedding, I still sleep with regular sheets in winter, but I layer blankets on top. It's easier to wash the sheets regularly, then the blankets don't need to be washed often, maybe once per season. I do use an electric fitted sheet instead of an electric blanket, I think they're a little easier to manage.
For clothes, I have wool socks that I often layer over my normal socks. If it's really cold, some thermals under your pants/shirt helps (I like Cuddl Duds or Uniqlo Heattech). Scarves can really help also. Its cheaper to insulate your body than heat your whole house! I also drink a lot more hot tea in the winter to warm up.
A hot water bottle is my best friend in winter!
I like flannel sheets in the winter.
I like to put a wool blanket under a regular sheet for extra warmth.
I have a crocheted granny square blanket layered between my top sheet and other blankets. The holes trap the air and insulate so well. Plus it was made in the 70s with acrylic so it is as heavy as a weighted blanket!
@@neulasiaSame. Blanket then electric blanket ( 2p an hour to run) then bottom sheet. So toasty.
Those are great suggestions! I wanted to also add that something that has always help me while keeping my heating bills low when it’s winter time are those hot water bottles. You can get them usually from a drugstore, I don’t know if they have them in Japan or not though, but I bet that they do. They’re made of rubber and you just filled them halfway with tapwater and then halfway with boiled water, and they usually stay hot the entire night. I also have a cozy that goes over them, which keeps them warmer even longer. I put them in bed with me or on my coach and put one on my lower back or abdomen. They make a huge difference.
The delivery men are excellent! Such good service ❤
As a heating suggestion I use a oil filled radiator. They are one of the cheapest heaters to run as well as being noiseless. Unlike a lot of other types of heaters you can get one with with a thermostat so you can choose the temperature you want it to turn off/on which makes them safer as well. A lot of the other types of heaters I worry about fire safety, especially having pets that may knock them over.
I was born and raised in Alaska, these are all great tips. Hot water bottles are another good thing to use, especially in bed or when sitting on the couch. I also like the rice bags that you can microwave, and they double nicely for any pain that needs heat.
Don't wait to warm up, it'll be more difficult if you get too cold. And the only other thing I can really think of to add currently is to wear loose cotton breathable pajamas. If your skin can't breathe while encased in synthetic materials, you're more likely to perspire which will make you damp, and as sweat rapidly cools you'll find yourself getting very cold.
And the benefits of sleeping cooler are, cooler temperatures help you acquire deeper sleep, sleep faster, increase the quality of REM sleep, lowers the risk of metabolic diseases like diabetes, and regulates melatonin levels to be more ideal.
I love how polite the delivery guys are. They aren’t that polite here in Canada. I had a chuckle watching Millie getting out the way of the vacuum cleaner.
In the US Fedex and UPS drivers throw your packages.
Same here (America)
Wow. I wish I had that kind of customer service on delivered packages. That was wonderful to see.
I feel spoiled with double glazed windows, a gas furnace, and a fireplace. Love the warm rug and new sofa. Lovely.
I love how cozy this video is. Thanks for taking us along, what a comfort.
Thanks! I’m glad you liked it!😊
When i was a kid living a drafting house in one of the few cold places in Australia i would always put a blanket on my bed instead of a sheet and have a quilt as well. I was nice and toasty. Nice to see i wasn't the only one who does that.
We have done that too!
The staying warm tips are interesting, especially the under carpet heater. When cooing those one pot meals you can also take some into work and reheat it. I've seen people make the broth separately and pour it into ice cube trays so that they can only use as much as they need for each meal or day.
I have a converted bus. I made panels that fit in each window. They’re 5 layers. There’s a piece of bubble wrap in the middle, 2 pieces of coroplast, then covered in blackout curtains. We drove to Alaska and those panels saved us from the constant daylight plus insulation.
I had a nice experience with the kotatsu decades ago when I visited Kyushu (Yame-shi) and stayed in an old, traditional Japanese house (complete with a thatched roof!). All floors were tatami (except for the kitchen, bath and "western room". Warmed by a deep, immersive bath we then sat at the kotatsu and had tea and traditional Japanese sweets (sweet bean sandwiched between small "pancakes"- I forget the Japanese word for it). I stayed warm and comfy for HOURS! What a memorable experience! The kotatsu can be very effective!
Dorayaki?
@@erinharrington4232 YES!!! Thank you! 😃
@@allie1953 :)
That was great that your coworkers and students offered you some tips. I really love your new couch! Your website is expanding its offerings all the time. Thank you.
Wow what got my attention was the gracious service of the delivery men. They were so attentive. I’m an Aussie living in Victoria and gets pretty cold in winter and I don’t use heaters at all mainly because of the cost for nearly 7 years now but to stay warm I wear really warm jumpers and I always have a warm blanket to throw over me when I read at night. For food I always tend to cook hearty soups or things that are healthy (always) but grounding. I really appreciate your channel so thank you.🙏
Thanks! I’m glad you enjoyed the video.
You can use normal bubble wrap. I use it every winter here in Scotland
What is your preferred way to make it stick? I have picture frame windows 🪟 and i want to make sure I dont leave sticky marks with tape. Cello tape may be my go-to.
@p_roduct9211 I just use a light spray of plain water. Spray the glass. Put the cut to size bubble wrap on the glass, bubbles facing toward the glass. That's it. No tape or glue involved.
My problem is my windows sweat so much I doubt bubble wrap would cling to them.
@@diannesquyres4493 I would give it a go. They are only 'sweating'because the warm air is condensing on the cold surface so bubble wrap should help with that.
@@dominique8233
Thanks. I will give it a try.
I am so interested in other cultures and how people live. This is well done; love it! Thanks for sharing.
An Oodie, thick oversized fleece hoodie (doesn’t have to be the branded one) so warm! I’ve got me one and my whole family as well! Game changer!
@@Acehigh-Jenkins see I think cold legs? So I never got one🤔 do you wear sweat pants?
I would recommend a radiant oil heater. It’s quite safe, and the air won’t come out as dry as ceramic heater. An added benefit is that you can put the hanging rack next to it for faster drying clothes.
I had and still have a DeLonghi (spelling may not be correct) when my children were young. I love that heater. And, yes, I have dried a lot of snowy socks by hanging them next to the heater.
Brushed cotton sheets instead of normal cotton. Makes a big difference. I also put a blanket into the duvet cover with the duvet.
Well, this was a pleasant surprise from UA-cam. We are starting to get chilly in Pennsylvania, USA, as well. When our furnace was out, I used my winter coat as a blanket. Between that, the cats and the dog piling on, I woke up sweating! LOL This was my first visit to your channel, and I'm definitely subscribing. I've never been to Japan or Australia, but I hope to someday. Looking forward to the next video!
Living in sweden, here are a few things besides just adding more layers of clothes; A semi-portable burner. We can buy fairly cheaply ethanol-based stoves/burners that will heat a room real cheap and if it's a small house even the entire hosue. It has no emissions since it fully burns the ethanol. Also electric blankets, basically the same as your heated mat, but you can set the heat levels and take it with you wherever you are in the house.
By-products are carbon dioxide and water so you do need to ventilate the area you are burning ethanol in.
You use the heated blanket as a mat... where? On table or to walk on?
ethanol is cleaner burning than natural gas, so unless you're paranoid about your kitchen gas range, there's no concern about burning ethanol indoors.
I am curious if these are open-burner trangia or gel fuel sterno burners -- is there a radiating element that you put on top of them, or purpose-built ethanol room heater?
@@poofygoof the kitchen gas range burn time is measured in minutes, the ethanol heater burn time is measured in hours
I live in Canada so I had a giggle when you mentioned 5 degrees. Imagine keeping warm at minus 30C with wind chill making it minus 40! You learn real quick to layer up, thermal drapes, down filled duvets, thick flannel sheets, warm slippers and wool sox. Layer up clothing, warm boots, gloves hats and scarves are a must.
Your hacks should work very well and I hope you stay toasty warm this winter!
Haha I know it’s so much colder in Canada! Thank you for the tips!❤️
I'm Scottish and I laughed at 5C too but the more I watched I thought, oh, those are great tips!
I'm in Michigan, I debate if I even want to bother with a hoodie at 5 degrees. High school boys don't think about long pants until the temp drops to -17 (or 0 for us).
I think it depends on the isolation of the homes as well. I live in South of France, where the outside temperature stays at around 10, but without heating our apartment is at 15/16, with heating maybe 18/19. But I'm always too hot when I visit my family in Germany, because it's nice and cozy inside, even though it's much colder outside.
@@butterbee2163😅I live also in the south of France ( Hyères) and I have exactly the same temperatures as you, inside.
And honestly, when the Mistral blows it can be very miserable : 15 max in my shower room 🥶
I lived in both Misawa and Iwakuni, and I am so glad I found your channel. It takes me back and makes me smile.
Thanks! I’m glad you like the channel 😄
I have a retired greyhound, a dog with no subcutaneous fat and delicate skin, plus he really really likes his creature comforts. The look of joy on his face when I brought out his winter fleece bed time coat was something to see. Once in bed he has a pure wool blanket to cover him. If it’s really cold he’ll wear the fleece in the daytime too, together with a knitted snood. For humans I recommend pure merino wool next to the skin, lots of lightweight layers and to keep the lower legs and feet as warm as possible with thermals and long socks. I have just treated myself to some wool felt slippers with real sheepskin lining and strong supportive insoles and soles - I’m in heaven. May the winter months be kind to one and all and if it gets a bit nippy a microwaveable gel “water bottle” in a protective cover tucked in against your tummy is warming and comforting, also useful for warming the hands on.
@janegreen9340 I was wondering if you could share the brand name of the slippers you mentioned. They sound like exactly what I would need! 😊 I hope that your greyhound stays warm and cozy throughout the cold months ahead. I'm picturing how cute he must be with his outfits and snuggled in bed. 😄
Best not to use wool. It comes from sheep that were used and not living a natural life. Find another source to keep warm. But good for you for rescuing a dog instead of buying one.
Your vibe is so cozy!
Even if you are only one, cooking yourself some nice meals saves money, time, energy...i dont mind eating the same think of of days, specially if its a meal you enjoy and know its tasty and healthy.
Dear Chani, old wrinklie writing from DK currently (having lived in 2 other European countries). I have been to Japan once and if my health stays good I might do a monastery stay (currently training for that possibility). I now live in a 64 sq metre ground floor flat in an old 8 apartment building (1901). There are French windows in the kitchen, leading to the garden. This is the warmest place (my flat) I have ever lived in. A few hacks humbly suggested. 1) double glazing and newer buildings have triple. All outside doors and windows close tightly and hermetically. 2) I only heat the whole flat with a wood burner (briquettes and ready cut logs delivered on palettes called "towers") because the radiators are too expensive. 3) we have a collective tumbler dryer (added bcse seeing you going to the local one). 4) Garden shed to stack the wood 5). Personal hack because old : I sleep in a nightie (I bought warm pyjamas but they are too hot for the moment) and a scarf around my neck which seems to be getting stiffer with age.
I am writing this to you from the kitchen with no heating on (Nov 2024) and I won't light the wood burner until maybe 3 or 4 p.m. I am wearing a cardigan. My flat has a corridor and separate rooms but somehow the wood burner keeps the whole place warm. I have leg warmers, vests, fur waistcoat but I have never needed them yet. I still walk 4km every day unless the weather is exceptionally bad for a wrinklie. P.S. I really enjoy your channel and hope to be reborn Japanese.
All good except for using "fur". Best not to use part of a tortured animal. It comes from someone who was abused and not living a natural life. Find another source to keep warm.
@carolbarrett6492 I bought the fur waistcoat in a second hand shop FYI and what is your message for American Indians who needed the buffalo to survive? Or the inhabitants of Siberia at minus50 degreesuberia
@carolbarrett6492 was cut off. I wanted to add also people who need to eat meat to survive, like the Laplanders? I think surely the point is to live as consciously as possible when possible because you don't know the human heart of everyone. Many Buddhist monks will eat meat if that is what they are given/offered and I understand that completely. Maybe it is good not to eat fish but I would not dictate that to an Eskimo or anyone else. I believe these things can be respected in a sacred way rather than telling people what they should or should not eat or wear en masse. I have seen monks eat fish, meat if offered and others who do not. It is not for me to tell them how to live.
I live in Tokyo. I was gobsmacked when my winter bill, without the use of any heater was greater than my summer one when I blasted the a/c 12 hours a day.. I got so fed up with the dodgy billing, I tested every main switch. Since turning off 3 main switches, I've been saving ¥3000-5000 a month! I only turn on the hot water main switch every 3 days. It's such an energy saver.
I find that Any clothing that is silk lines is wonderful to keep warm: silk is so tightly woven that it keeps cold out & body warmth in. I’m most comfortable wearing silk (not polyester, not satin) next to the skin & wool over the silk. Cozy.
I have a thick fluffy robe that really makes a difference! Basically like wearing a blanket lol. Plus thick fluffy socks. And then recently a game-changer for me was essentially a pair of thick fingerless gloves. My hands and feet get cold very easily, but I find when they're warm I feel warmer overall!
Great way to save on energy us to buy solar or use rechargeable lighting such as lamps or candles. During the day solar charge. Or usb charge. Some have 8-12hrs battery life. Some also have 24hrs.
While wax candles are nice... you'll have to rebut once it's empty.
Nice video. Will do the bubble wrap on my windows.
Consider a ceramic heater. This is a very eficient heater that uses less electricity due to the fact that the ceramic elements retain heat. They are very portable and can be moved from room to room.
New here, and very much appreciated the ideas to have a warmer cozier winter. Heating costs are up in the USA, but I use vintage metal hot water bottles, fuzzy blankets like you, cotton flannel sheet, etc. The bubble wrap on the windows is a most excellent idea.
Our American HVAC system went out over 2 years ago. We heat our house with LED Fireplace heaters, and our bathrooms with small ceramic heaters. We clean filters at least once a month. We have Comforters (Duvets), lots of blankets, and for me, long fleece-lined hoodie type bathrobes - almost like a warm sleeping sack - that reaches the floor. In Idaho we have several months where temps dip into 20°Farenheit and we stay toasty
In case of heaters, infrared panels are said to be the best (price/heat), they are a bit bigger, but can go on the wall or ceiling. Mine is just standing on little feet and can be taken to whereever I want it. Best heat I ever had and within the past 40 years, we tried a lot. Greetings from snowy Germany!
I have never heard of that before. I will look into it.
infrared sounds so nice but so expensive aswell :)
@@ChaniJapan They work like sunshine, they don`t heat the air but your couch, floor, whatever is around. They are perfect for rooms that haven`t got the best insulation, or for shops that have doors that open and close all the time. They make no noise and create no more airflow than sunshine, but take half a hour to get a room from cold to cozy, so a timer is usefull. Mine is a 550 W panel I got for 55 Euros, easily good enough for 5x5 m rooms. Right now I have changed to central heating, I have floor heating through water, which is one of the nicest heats you could get in Germany and it doesn`t feel much different then the heat from the infrared panel.
You can get tv stands that have infrared heaters in them.
I fully support this.
Grateful to the algorithm for this one 🙏🏼 I live in a freezing uk home with bad insulation, so these tips are priceless. Thank you!
I live in one of the cold parts of Canada. It is common for us to have at some kind of pretty blanket or knitted/crocheted afghan nicely draped on our couch/sofa/chair, and when guests are not around we curl up with it while watching tv. Personally, I sleep with a hot water bottle, various layers of blankets, and a duvet on the really cold nights. Fuzzy blankets work best inside, and more sturdy blankets on top. When winter came around my grandma used to break out the flannel sheets.
in the uk, we use hot water bottles, they're perfect for warming the bed and cold feet
The blankets there sound like what I would call "polar fleece". I like flanelette sheets as well. I pre-heat my bathroom with an oil fin heater and have a hot shower right before bed time. I generally dont heat my whole house, just layer up and wear ugh boots. I have used the bubble wrap insulation on windows and it is great for both summer and winter.
Summer too - bubble wrap, thanks I needed this
It's good to use these felt dryer balls when you dry things in the dryer. Because it makes things dry a lot faster and with less money. They're kind of like tennis balls that are covered in felt.
Hello! Nice video on keeping warm in Japan, it is a bit funny for me Canadian woman, us 5 degres is pretty nice… but very good ideas all together. I just wanted to warn you on your beautiful new sofa, I have seen a video this of a cat’s tail getting stuck in the sofa’s motor… the cat had to have his tail amputated because of the damage, be mindful if your beautiful cat is around when your using your sofa! ❤
You clean like the Japanese! Big compliment
Bubble wrap used in operating theatres to keep patients warm during surgery!
Thanks ❤️
a bit like we used to do in Scandinavia in old houses. tapestries / blankets that hung a few cm from the wall and created a small air layer that stopped the cold radiation from the wall. rugs on the floor. extra panes of glass on the inside of the window
wow what a nice new sofa! Thanks for sharing your life in your home with us, I love watching your videos. They're relaxing. Millie is so cute!
Oil filled radiator heaters are the best imo. Peace of mind that it won't start a fire and it's easy to keep a temperature without getting too hot
Yep, that's my suggestion too. They are my only heat source and they work great. I have two: living room and bedroom. Plan to buy one more. Very inexpensive as well!
I agree with this. Mine is extremely effective. I lived in a 1-bedroom apartment in similar 40-45 degree winter weather, using it as my only heat source. It worked so well.
I live in Tokyo and that's what we use. It takes a while for the room to heat up so get one with a timer to come on before you get home. But the heat is warm and comforting and there is no air blowing around, kicking up dust. Very economical, too.
Been using a oil heater in my back porch every winter because I have a window open 24/7 for my cats to enter the cattio. Even in -40. It's open year round and the oil heater works amazing! Best $100 I've spent.
can anyone send a link to the one you have?
The velvet feel blankets with the electric blanket idea saved my butt when I was renting a an old house during a bad winter. My late grandfather gave me a microfiber blanket and an electric blanket as birthday/holiday gifts one year, and I would put the microfiber blanket fluffy side down, then the electric blanket, then two comforters. The heat was evenly distributed with the microfiber blanket and kept in by the comforters (my bed was an air mattress and I had to sleep in a hoodie and thick jammies every night, and this was in the States). I swear, it was so was in just ten minutes. I know that the electric blanket had a warning label on not to sleep with it on, but it was that or freeze. Boy, was it so warm, though! Absolutely luxurious!
Also, yeah, you need to ventilate with a kerosene heater, but one of those kept our home warm during a blizzard in 1993. Those can be life savers if you know how to use them properly and have enough space to use one in.
And your car is so cute! Love the color!
Japanese are very clever when it comes to improving consumer goods like this. Especially making stuff compact. I didn’t know the bubble wrap hack either. Very cool.
I love the way you decorate your place-it's clean, neat, and cozy. Your soup bowl looks delicious! It's amazing how you're able to leave your home, move to a new and unfamiliar place with no family, and continue with your life so effortlessly. That's such an admirable trait. Like you, I also cook enough to eat for a few days. It saves money, reduces food waste, and saves time.
Completely random comment but I love the size of your kitchen sink. I'm going to remove my 1.5 bowl sink soon and install a big single bowl. So much more practical.
As for keeping warm, I like to bake things so not only do I get a hot meal, but it heats up my kitchen a bit too 😊
My grandmother had a large bowl sink with no divider. I remember her having a large plastic bowl in it that she left full of soapy water for us to put our silverware or other tiny dishes into so they could soak. She would also put our plates and cups into the sink to let them sit in hot soapy water for about 20 minutes before doing the dishes. That 20 minutes usually softened up most difficult food stains and made light stains or caked on food a breeze to clean or wipe off! With a cat or any other animal that might frequent a countertop, I wouldn't put soap into the water unless I had a wooden board to cover the sink, so the animal couldn't get into or drink the soapy water. Another tip is to use an unused dryer fabric softener sheet to get rid of horribly stuck on food stains or worse in oven dishes/pots/pans and leave it overnight (some items, like cast iron, might need to be re-seasoned after a soapy wash), but I ensure my cats can't get into it by covering it with either a lid or a cutting board. Given time and hot water, the dryer sheet releases a product that loosens even the worst of burnt on food far better than soap and elbow grease! I usually check it after an overnight soak, clean what I can, and then soak it again with hot water and another fresh dryer sheet. This process saved one of my grandmother's prized huge baking pots that I inherited and use for big family or party occasions.
It does heat the room but expensive, air fryers and microwave much cheaper to run.
I pressure can a lot of meat and vegetable soup in the winter. It does heat up my kitchen and living room.
Hello from Tampa Bay Florida! As you might expect, I don’t have a lot of ideas to add about staying warm……our AC system is configured for maximum cooling, it has what they call a “heat strip” that serves as a heating element, but it is costly to run on those few days that we might need it. Instead we bundle up and use a few small space heaters in the areas of our home that we spend significant time in. Love, love, love your videos. I am living vicariously through your adventures! Thank you for sharing.
Millie is super super cute ! So lovely to watch her in your videos !!
Chani love your videos..........Customer service in Japan is amazing they are so kind and caring people wow
Those Japanese moving services are primo! A cat proof sofa? Amazing! I miss Japan.
I made myself a wearable blanket which is basically an extra large floor length hoodie with a large front pôcket where I can keep stuff and my hands warm;
i hang a blanket over my front/back door, i roll up towel for bottom of door. I cook crockpot meals for 4/8 hrs it heats kitchen. Long granny gowns, body pillow to curl up
Thank you! I'm doiing all that right now. My winter hack consists of two sheepskin rugs (each is four hides sewn together.) One goes under the blanket I sleep on, the other OVER the blanket on top of me. Also fleecy hat and socks!
My heating tips for spaces without central air/heat: Multiple blankets on the beds. Doors/curtains between places you want to keep the heat in, keeping in mind heat rises. Fans, yeah it seems weird but circulating that heat off the ceiling will help, just turn them up enough to move the air around. The window curtains are awesome. Make sure you keep heat in your areas with water so that the pipes don't decide to freeze. I also keep small blankets on the couch and areas where I want to keep warm. I've also seen some folks have a shoji door between the genkan and the rest of the house as an extra barrier and sort of 'air lock', but these were mostly more north or in the mountains.
I use bubble wrap for my large conservatory doors and it works a treat. I would also recommend getting an electric throw (not blanket) to put over the back of your lovely new sofa (hope it survives Millie's claws 🤣)and have it on a nice low heat that warms your back, and you can also bring it over you and wrap yourself in it if you want to feel more cosy. Also, as has already been suggested, definitely get a slow cooker - you can put everything in it and go off to work/play and when you come home, you will have a nice hot meal waiting for you. I also have an Instant Pot, which I love because you can do everything in it. Love Millie's mad moment 🤣🤣.
This is my first winter in japan and these tips are amazing omg
Really nice that you make your own meals. Perhaps you could explain what that is which I think is lotus root that you’re cutting up? What does it taste like?
I’m so glad to hear that! 😃
The bubble wrap on windows is a very good tip. You made it look so cozy, very nice. We use afghans or fleece lap type blankets in our living room all winter while sitting to read or watching television. I like to wear long sweatshirts and leggings in the house with either cottage socks or slippers. I prefer the thick socks.
We also drink more hot beverages. The only room we need a space heater is the bathroom. The one we use is 500-Watt Oil-Filled Radiant Electric Space Heater with Thermostat. It looks like a radiator. We keep it on the lowest setting and only need to use it when it's very cold. Does not make a big difference to our electric bill.
Such a pretty cat.
Miss the excellent customer service we got in Japan. Loved Millie hopping around on the new cozy carpet!
I love Japanese made thermal underwear. They are super well made, warm, and thin. Awesome buys!
Oil filled radiant portable heaters with a thermostat and timer. I have used them for years. I keep a small one in the bathroom and one in the bedroom or living room. Being portable they can be moved from room to room. I keep it on the lowest setting. It’s safe, quiet and economical. Also keeps a relatively constant temperature throughout the room.
There’s no heater more efficient than a split system.
They are more than 100% efficient which no other type of heater can achieve.
I think you’ll find that after you’ve insulated your windows, if you run the split systems on a low fan speed (the fan is the most power hungry part), you’ll find them pretty cheap to run.
When we had days without electricity in South Africa, I used a 9kg heater on wheels with a gas cylinder - warmed the house instantly. Then, a butane single plate camper stove to cook everything from fry-ups to Japanese dishes and stews. Also handy to take camping. Saves a mint boiling the kettle too.
Love the no-sheets idea, and ALWAYS have an electric blanket. Thanks for the shopping trip Chani, and the giggle, Millie.
Keeping your feet warm is crucial in staying warm overall. Consider getting double layered socks with plush inside and knitting on the outside. Also house shoes with a really thick rubber sole work well
I love my Ugg slippers. I have had one pair for years now, and have bought the replacement wooly liners a couple times.
You can stick a WiFi switch on the electric blanket and switch it on via your phone 15 minutes before you go to bed. The blankets themselves run at 30W full power so no need to skimp. I really love mine for the minimal cost. You can also get smaller ones to sit on on the sofa - again 30W or so to keep you warm in the living room without firing up the carpet. I'm currently looking at internal secondary windows for a few thousand yen to try before I replace my single pane window glass.
Not living in japan but here in a cold area of germany and also trying to save on money around heating, for my bedding I am using an outdoor blanket with that isolation layer as an upper layer and underneath normal blanket in which I can wrap myself up. The heat stays inside, you feel super cozy while the colder air stays outside. The outdoor blanket rustles a bit but when you're sleeping you hear nothing of it so it's also save to use for any fellow hypersensitive person out there, too.
Get a good Winter/Cold weather sleeping blanket and unzip it and use it as you would a regular blanket or you can leave it zipped up if it's really cold and put the other blankets over you as normal. Longhandle underwear is great too.
We use diff curtains in the cold months. They block out the cold. Btw, the curtains can be used year round actually to block out sun if trying to keep home cooler. They even block out noise if it’s noisy outside or you have loud neighbors. Anyway, we noticed a huge difference in our electricity bill since we live in an older building.
People used to put plastic on their windows in the United States back in the day to keep the cold out. It was a heavy duty plastic that you sealed on with a heat gun. Not sure if people still do this, but it's similiar to the bubble wrap. I also love that you cooked for this video.
Yes, we do use it, and it comes with foam with a sticky side for the bottom part of the window.
Plastic window kits are still heavily used especially in the upper Midwest where I live. However it's most effective if you seal the entire window and frame and not just the glass. Most of the cold air comes in through cracks and gaps around the window and frame.
I don't see people using them too much these days in Pennsylvania, perhaps bc more people try to insulate the walls instead.
Hello, yes we still use the plastic that seals with a hair dryer. It's amazing and it is as clear as glass.