• Welcome
  • Community
  • Blogs
  • Photos
  • Videos
  • Join
  • Log in
Follow MNN    
MNN - Mother Nature Network - Envrionmental News
improve your world

 

Saturday, May 26, 2012
  • Earth Matters

    Browse All » Animals Weather Energy Politics Space Translating Uncle Sam Wilderness & Resources

  • Health

    Browse All » Allergies Fitness & Well-Being Healthy Spaces

  • Lifestyle

    Browse All » Arts & Culture Travel Natural Beauty & Fashion Recycling Responsible Living

  • GREEN TECH

    Browse All » Computers Gadgets & Electronics Research & Innovations Transportation

  • Eco-Biz & Money

    Browse All » Green Workplace Personal Finance Sustainable Business Practices

  • Food & Drink

    Browse All » Beverages Healthy Eating Recipes

  • Your Home

    Browse All » At Home Organic Farming & Gardening Remodeling & Design

  • family

    Browse All » Babies & Pregnancy Family Activities Pets Protection & Safety

Tweet
Pin It
Email Bookmark and ShareShare
WorldShares lets you earn donations for your favorite nonprofit. Earn up to 20 points now.
Learn More

Earn Points
What's this?
MNN.COM›

MNN BLOGGERS

Matt Hickman

Weatherize this: Sweaters

One of the most vital home weatherization tools is sitting right in your closet, not on the shelves of your local hardware store: the sweater.

Mon, Dec 14 2009 at 8:44 AM EST

My “Weatherize This” posts are all about cheap and easy energy-efficiency fixes. The intent behind these draft-busting, money-saving remedies is to keep the cold out of and the heat in your home and they generally require you to alter your home in some way; the altercation can be visible (shrink wrap covering a window) or not (a foam gasket placed behind an outlet cover).
 
We often forget that the simplest way to be comfortably frugal during the winter doesn’t require a DIY fix-it job. Just reach into your closet and grab a sweater.
 
Now I’m not saying that you should turn your heat completely off and layer to the extreme this winter, but if you do feel a slight chill on a particularly cold day, just don your favorite sweater, sweatshirt, hoody, cardigan, turtleneck, jumper, pull-over, or what have you instead of running to the thermostat and cranking up the heat full-blast. According to The Daily Green, wearing a lightweight sweater will add 2 degrees of warmth while wearing a heavier one can add up to 4 degrees. 
 
Something useful that I practice is keeping a dedicated “house sweater” within reach. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy — a well-loved, cable-knit hand-me-down, a too-ugly-to-wear-outside reject gifted to you by Grandma last Christmas (see above photo), or a funky thrift store find will do — so no need to go out and buy a new wardrobe just to insulate yourself at home.
 
My house sweater is a comfy fleece zip-up that’s a bit too small and stained for “normal” use (I don’t know why I went with white considering my predilection for spills). I live on the top floor of an old building surrounded by the Lower New York Bay on three sides so on windy nights when I don’t want to crank the heat all the way up (it ain’t cheap) this stained white zip-up is my best amigo.
 
With the holidays approaching you may want to treat yourself or a love one to a new sweater that will come in handy at home. If that’s the case, look into buying one that’s made from sustainable fibers like organic cotton, eco fleece (spun from recycled plastic), organic wool, hemp, cashmere or alpaca fiber. And be sure to check out the web stores of eco-clothiers like Nau, Patagonia, Alternative Apparel, Loomstate, Edun, Rawganique, Howies, and Mission Playground … there’s many deals to be had right now. Knitting your own is also an earth-friendly option.
 
Do you don an extra layer instead of tweaking the thermostat on very cold days? What kind of energy savings have you experienced by doing this? 
 
Photo: Zac Fisher Photo
 
Previous Post
Playing catch up: Extreme green
   Next Post
Getting down n' yurty
You might also like:
Related Topics: Energy Efficiency, Green Fashion, Home improvement, Save Money

Comments

Follow this conversation
Add your comment
View:
  • All (0)

Add your comment

Sign in with one of these accounts or just add your comment below.
    Log in or
    create an account
     
    •  
Used only for emailed comments and will not be displayed with your post
Notify me with an email when other people comment on this article.
The posting of advertisement, profanity or personal attacks is prohibited.
Click here to review our Terms of Use

EDITORS' PICKS

tease to asteroids

tease to pet facials

tease to emotional eating

ADVERTISEMENT

NEWSLETTER

Mother Nature. Delivered

CONNECT WITH MNN

Follow @twitterapi
 Tumblr
 Google +

About Matt Hickman

Eco-living expert blogs about best ways to go green at home.

RSS feedMore about Matt

Recent Posts

  • Playing Catch up: 'Til Tuesday
  • Composting that cuppa: PG Tips launches tea bag recycling initiative
  • No, you're not hallucinating: Designer unveils wooden light bulb
+ Add this to my site
From our sponsor

Calculate the amount of water you use to wash dishes

New Ziploc® VersaGlass™ Containers make saving water and time a snap! more >

Photo gallery: 6 most pesky warm weather bugs

Don’t let annoying bugs ruin your outdoor fun. Keep insects out with plant-based... more >

Play the Glade Decor Scents Fragrance Photo Hunt

Test your skills of observation by spotting all five differences in each pair of... more >

Healthy home, happy family: Facts about SC Johnson products

Being a fifth generation family business gives SC Johnson a unique perspective.... more >

What’s Inside SC Johnson: A look at our product ingredients

As a family company, SC Johnson goes beyond industry standards in creating... more >
SC Johnson: A family company since 1886

Matt's BLOGROLL

Design BoomDwell
GOODCo.Design
Jetson GreenCurbed National
Core77TreeHugger
NY Times Home & GardenL.A. at Home

ADVERTISEMENT



Quick Links

  • About Us
  • Advisory Board
  • Editors' Blog
  • Press
  • Privacy
  • Sitemap
  • Terms of Service
  • WorldShares

MNN Tools

  • Advice
  • Blogs
  • Day in History
  • Eco-glossary
  • Infographics
  • Lists
  • Photos
  • Videos

Connect

  • Community
  • Contact Us
  • Contests
  • Idea Lab
  • Mixed Greens
  • Newsletters
  • Polls
  • RSS

Channels

  • Earth Matters
  • Health
  • Lifestyle
  • Green Tech
  • Eco-Biz & Money
  • Your Home
  • Family
  • State Reports

Follow MNN

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr
  • Google+
  • StumbleUpon
 

Copyright © 2012 MNN Holdings, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Website by GLICK INTERACTIVE | Powered by CIRRACORE
 
SPONSORS