Sustainable Acres Warming Up Winter

Sustainable Acres Warming Up Winter

By Lauren Bongard

Embracing efficient practices and renewable solutions year-round can help minimize your environmental impact, and we’ ve got some key strategies to make sustainable winter living rewarding and comfortable.

Warmth Without Waste

Believe it or not, traditional wood-burning stoves can be a surprisingly efficient heating option, especially if you source wood sustainably from managed forests or your own property. Pellet stoves that use compressed sawdust or agricultural waste offer an eco-friendly alternative with more automated features.

For those who want to harness the power of the sun, south-facing windows capture and retain natural solar heat. Hang heavy curtains or thermal shades to keep the warmth indoors after the sun sets.

Insulation is a winter win, too. Make sure walls, attics and basements are well insulated to reduce heat loss and conserve energy. When adding insulation, consider ecofriendly materials like recycled denim or sheep’ s wool.

If you want to make a bigger investment in sustainable warmth and energy production, consider installing solar panels to power your home year-round. You can tie them to the grid to lower your electric bills and shrink your carbon footprint or go all-in by going off-grid with a solar panel battery system.

Besides solar, alternative power sources like geothermal heating, small wind turbines, hydropower, biomass and biofuels are a solid investment. If that’ s more than you want to dig into, heat recovery ventilators improve indoor air quality and reduce heat loss while providing efficient home ventilation.

Composting in the Cold

Whether you’ re an ordinary garden-variety composter or dirt-making enthusiast, you’ ll know that regular compost bins slow down in winter. Investing in insulated or enclosed bins can help maintain microbial activity. Start the season with a warm base of straw or leaves at the bottom of your compost bin to help insulate it, and regularly turn compost to keep microbes on the move. Also consider adding a nitrogen-rich source, like manure, to keep compost active during cold stretches.

If you’ ve got limited outdoor options, you can bring the composting magic indoors. Worm composting, or vermiculture, is a great way to manage food scraps inside until you can move it outside come spring.

Water Wisdom

Whether you’ re on a well or just trying to use less water, install low-flow showerheads and faucets that are designed for efficient use in lower temperatures. You can also invest in a snowmelt collection system or build your own to provide additional water during winter months.

Bonus Tips for a Warmer Winter

• Keep doors to unused rooms closed.

• Use draft stoppers under doors.

• Check for air leaks around windows and doors.

• Insulate or seal outlets and switch plates to stop drafts.

• Set thermostat timers for more efficient heating.

• Reverse ceiling fans to push warm air down.

• Buy heavy-duty thermal curtains or double up regular window coverings.

• Frost blankets can keep tender plants growing longer.

• Place reflective surfaces behind radiators or heaters.

• Thick rugs can make cold tiles or hardwood floors feel cozy.

• Clean south-facing windows regularly to maximize sunlight.

• Close fireplace dampers when the fireplace isn’ t in use.

14 AcreageLife January 2025 AcreageLife. com

AcreageLife. com January 2025 AcreageLife 15