6 Guaranteed Hacks to Warm a Motel Room Cheaply

Most Australians expect winter weather in the months of June, July, and August, and even a bit of a chill in May and September. And the fact is that there’s nothing much we can do to stop it getting cold outside.

However, when it comes to the indoors there are various ways to keep it nicely warm and toasty. There’s really no need to leave your guests enduring cold nights.

You can warm a motel room quite cheaply.

And guess what? We’re about to show you six clever hacks to help you keep your motel room warm and cosy in winter and on other cold days.

Did we already mention that these hacks are inexpensive? And quick? And easy to implement? And great for energy efficiency? Well, they are.

Let’s get started.

Buy Hotel Quality Bedding

What beats snuggling into soft, warm, and super comfy bedding on a cold winter night?

Nothing. It’s the surest way to stay warm and cosy in bed as you catch some sleep. So, you can’t afford to skimp on the things your guests sleep in.

But there’s one little problem…

With the massive variety of bedding out there, sometimes deciding on what’s the best bedding for your motel accommodation needs can become a daunting task.

But don’t worry.

We’ll show you the right bedding for your guests; bedding that’s warm, cosy, durable and affordable.

So here we go:

• Blankets: plush microfibre blankets will keep your guests nice and warm even though it’s freezing cold outside;
• Bed sheets: flat sheets and fitted sheets made from the finest fibres trap in the heat for a lovely toasty feel all night long;
• Bed covers: bed covers help keep all the bedding underneath clean. And traps in the heat that may be escaping from the bed;
• Mattress toppers: an extra layer on your mattress to keep you warmer from underneath;
• Pillows: richly plush pillows will keep your head and neck warm and well-supported throughout your sleep.

Additional useful resources worth checking out.

• How to make your hotel beds cosier;
• How to buy the best hotel quality sheets;
• What is the best material for hotel sheets;
• Factors you need to consider when choosing the right pillow.

Want some bed-making tips? Watch the video below.

Seal up Gaps and Cracks That Let Cold Air In

Did you know that in your average motel, if you added up all the cracks and gaps, it would be the equivalent of having several large windows open all the time?

Now, this can account for 15 - 25 per cent of heat loss in your motel.

Not good.

Here are a few ways to seal up those gaps and cracks, keep the cold air outside, and warm air inside.

Caulking

Caulk is a flexible material used to seal air leaks through cracks, gaps, or joints less than 6cm (¼ inch) wide between stationary building components and materials.

Before you do caulking, access your motel room to ensure that there’s adequate indoor air and that its quality is good.

While at it, detect places where air leakage occurs. Remember the less obvious gaps that you are likely to miss, including:

• Switch plates;
• Baseboards;
• Attic hatches;
• Vents and fans;
• Electrical outlets;
• Fireplace dampers;
• Door and window frames;
• Cable TV and phone lines;
• Weather-stripping around doors;
• Where dryer vents pass through walls;
• Electrical and gas service entrances;
• Wall- or window-mounted air conditioners.

Weather-stripping

Use weather-stripping to seal air leaks around movable building components such as doors and operable windows. And like caulking, you have to access the air quality of your room before sealing the air leaks with weather strips.

Basic weather-stripping guidelines include:

• Measure the area to be weather-stripped twice before making a cut;
• Apply weather strips on clean and dry surfaces in temperatures above -7° C (20°F);
• Apply the weather strips snugly against both surfaces. The material should compress when the window or door is shut.

3. Use Energy-Efficient Window Attachments

Covering your hotel room windows efficiently reduces energy loss through windows. You also lower your heating and cooling costs while making your motel guests feel comfortable, even on chilly days.

The following window treatments are ideal:

• Roller/Roman shades: choose the heavier fabrics for better thermal performance;
• Curtains and drapes: hang them as close to the window as possible and let them fall onto a window sill or floor;
• Window quilts: typically fit snug against the trim, either on tracks or with an attachment such as Velcro or snaps;
• Insulated cellular shades: in heating seasons, tightly-installed cellular shades can reduce heat loss through windows by 40% or more, which equates to about 20% heating energy savings.

Install Exterior Shutters and Shades

Exterior shutters and shades can be made from a variety of materials such as:

• Vinyl;
• Steel;
• Wood;
• Fabric;
• Aluminium.

The best method is to mount the roller shutters above the window. Use the side channels to guide them as you lower and raise the shutters.

Once you completely lower the blinds, their slats will meet and provide shade, privacy, security, and protection from storms. When partially raised, the blinds allow some air and daylight to enter through windows.

Maintain Your Heaters

It’s a good practice to service your central heating systems from time to time. Because, like all mechanical equipment, they need maintenance to keep running efficiently.

Get a certified professional to inspect your HVAC (Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning) system at least once a year. But for maximum performance, at least two visits per year is ideal.

Let’s highlight some of the key maintenance procedures (done by an HVAC technician):

Forced Air Systems

• Clean dust and soot from the furnace combustion chamber;
• Clean the blower by vacuuming the area where the blower is housed;
• Check filters every month and change them at least every three months;
• Have ductwork checked at least once a year for open joints, dust buildup, mould and rust;
• Inspect the blower belt (if present); the technician will look out for proper tension and overall condition;
• Clean ductwork and registers as needed; if there are no obvious problems, have it cleaned once in every three years. However, frequent cleaning is needed if you live in a dusty environment or occupants suffer allergies.

Check the Energy Rating on Appliances

In your motel, you will have various electrical appliances, such as:

• Dryer;
• Fridge;
• Washer;
• Dishwasher;
• Air conditioner;
• TV/Computer monitor.

Check out these appliances.Calculate their energy rating. You may realise that you need to swap your old appliances for new energy-efficient ones - a move that will:

• Save your money: thanks to reduced energy bills;
• Save energy: you will use the minimum amount of energy to complete your tasks;
• Enhance conservation of energy: cutting down on the resources used in generating energy;
• Conserve our environment for sustainable development: minimise the exploitation of natural resources such as natural gas, oil, coal, and water;
• Control pollution: generation of energy using water, oil, coal, and natural gas leads to water, soil, and air pollution through industrial effluents and emissions.

When buying new appliances, remember the more stars, the more savings. Watch the video to learn more.

Let’s Wrap Up

Running a successful motel is very involved. You have to pay attention to the little details. Like keeping your guests in warm and comfortable rooms - away from the harsh elements outdoors.

Use the clever hacks we’ve just provided and implement what you think works best for your establishment.

Spoilt for choice? Start with warm and cosy bedding- readily available at Australian Linen Supply. You can expect superior quality bedding, friendly customer service, and super-fast delivery.

Check out our bedding collection.

Photo Courtesy:

Feature Image: Pixabay Image by joseclaudioguima