Think your toes are numb now? Wait until you see your energy bill. Athens winters get genuinely cold, and uptown rentals, especially the older ones on and around Court Street, are notoriously drafty. But you don’t have to just eat the cost every month. Batten down the hatches and save some real money with these 5 winterizing tips for your student rental.
Plastic Those Windows
Why Old Windows Are Quietly Draining Your Wallet
Some windows in older Athens rentals are so drafty you’d hardly believe they’re actually closed. Your heater ends up working overtime just to compensate, and that shows up directly on your bill. Window plastic is a cheap, effective fix that most students skip simply because they don’t know how easy it is.
How To Actually Do It
- Pick up window insulation kits at most hardware stores or Walmart; they typically run $10-$20 for enough to cover several windows.
- Clean the window frame first so the adhesive strip actually sticks.
- Lay the plastic film over the window and seal the edges with the adhesive strip provided.
- Use a household hair dryer on a low setting to shrink the plastic tight and smooth out wrinkles; this is the step people are most surprised by, but it works.
- Check the seal every few weeks, since older frames can shift and create small gaps.
Do this in every drafty room, and the living room in particular will feel noticeably warmer, with a smaller bill to split among roommates at the end of the month.
Close Basement And Attic Doors
If you have any control over it, ask your landlord whether the basement or attic has weatherstripping; this is worth asking before you sign with any of the rental companies Athens, Ohio students typically go through, since older housing stock varies a lot on this.
Why These Spaces Become Refrigerators
Basements and attics aren’t usually insulated as well as the rest of the house, which means they lose heat fast and can pull warm air out of the rest of your rental if doors are left open. In older Athens houses especially, this is a bigger energy drain than people expect.
Simple Habits That Make A Real Difference
- Keep basement and attic doors shut at all times during winter, not just when you remember.
- If there’s a gap under the door, a cheap draft stopper (or a rolled-up towel in a pinch) helps block cold air from creeping into hallways.
- If you have any control over it, ask your landlord whether the basement or attic has weatherstripping; sometimes a quick fix on their end solves the problem entirely.
Get Smart (Thermostat, That Is)
Why A Smart Thermostat Pays For Itself
Smart thermostat technology has gotten both better and cheaper in recent years. You can find a reliable option anywhere from $30 to $250, and even the budget models offer real savings. Split that cost across roommates, and you’re often looking at less than the price of a six-pack per person, money you’ll make back quickly through lower bills.
What It Actually Solves
- No more blasting heat into an empty house all day while everyone’s in class.
- No more coming home to a place that feels like a meat locker because the heat’s been off since 8 AM.
- Full control from your phone, so you can bump the temperature up on your walk home instead of waiting for the house to warm up after you arrive.
- Most models let you set schedules automatically, so nobody has to remember to adjust it manually every day.
It’s one of the few upgrades where the upfront cost and the long-term savings both work in your favor.
Be Wary Of Space Heaters
The Real Risks Involved
Space heaters feel like an easy fix, but they come with two serious downsides: they’re a genuine fire hazard, especially in older rentals with older wiring, and they can quietly become a huge money burner if left running constantly.
How To Use One Responsibly (If You Use One At All)
- Only run a space heater in rooms you’re actually occupying, never in an empty room “just in case.”
- Turn it off the moment the room feels comfortable, rather than leaving it on all evening.
- Never leave a space heater running overnight or when you leave the house.
- Keep it at least a few feet away from anything flammable, such as curtains, bedding, or furniture.
- Check that it has an automatic shutoff feature if it tips over, which many newer models include.
Used carelessly, a space heater can cost you more in electricity than central heating would in the first place, and the fire risk isn’t worth cutting corners on.
Wear Sweaters
The Oldest Trick Still Works Best
Your grandfather was right. The cheapest, most reliable way to stay warm all winter hasn’t changed since the 1800s: wear a sweater. Layer up, pile on the blankets, get cozy on the couch instead of cranking the thermostat.
A Few Ways To Make This Actually Work For You
- Keep a stash of blankets in common areas so nobody has an excuse to bump up the heat instead of grabbing one.
- Wool or fleece layers trap heat far better than cotton, especially if your rental has drafty spots.
- Warm socks and slippers make a bigger difference indoors than people expect; cold feet make the whole house feel colder than it is.
- Agree as roommates on a “sweater first, thermostat second” rule to keep everyone’s bill down together.