Cover the floor with carpets

Carpets are as good as fiberglass when it comes to thermal insulation and ten times better than the floor itself. They can reduce energy costs and therefore greenhouse gas emissions since they trap the heat inside. It is best if a room can be carpeted from wall to wall so that the loss is as little as possible. Not only that, but fuzzy rugs make you and your feet feel warmer which will keep you from increasing your thermostat.

Put aluminum foil behind the radiators

Heat is frequently lost through external walls when radiators are attached to them. One clever way to combat this is to place aluminum foil behind the radiators, causing the heat to be pushed back into your room. You can only use the foil you have in your kitchen if it is of high quality. If not, you can buy a foil made specifically for this purpose for less than $10.

Adjust the ceiling fans so they spin clockwise

It is vital that you change the rotation of your ceiling fans from counterclockwise to clockwise during the cold months of the year. This will allow them to send the warmth trapped at the top back to you at the lower levels. This slight change can save you up to 10% in heating costs since your main heating will be working less. Let it be noted that you should turn the fan off if a room is unoccupied to save up energy.

Put plastic bubble wrap on the windows

Windows are one of the most significant sources of heat loss, and bubble wrap can easily prevent this. It can reduce heat loss by up to 50% on a single-pane window and up to 20% on a double-pane window. To stick the bubble wrap on the window, all you need is a pair of scissors and a spray mister. It is recommended that you purchase wrap with larger bubbles because they will allow more light into your home.

 Install shelves above your radiators

If you have very tall ceilings or your radiator is placed under a window, a shelf will redirect the heat to your advantage. Instead of the heat going to the top of your ceiling, it will be hitting the shelf and changing direction. In the case where your radiator is below a window with long curtains, heat is usually trapped between the window and the curtains. However, if you install a small shelf you will manage to keep heat from being lost through the window.

Install a door sweep

Sometimes we don’t realize how much heat is exiting our home through the bottom of the door. A door sweep is like a thin, long broom that you will need to install at the inside of your door. It is very cheap and easy to install and you can cut it based on the length of your door. You will only need 4-5 screws to nail to place and it will keep that cold breeze outside where it belongs.

Make sure your letterbox has a second flap or brushes

The most efficient letterboxes are undeniably the ones that have 2 metal plates on both sides of the door and brushes in the middle. It’s not only about stopping letters but also about not letting the cold get in and the heat get out. And sometimes postmen will leave your mail hanging on the exterior plate, which means that the cold will have a way in. So, by installing the interior plate and the brushes, you will be adding another layer of protection towards the cold.

Wrap your pipes to prevent them from freezing

Pipe sleeves, heat tape, and heat cables are some of the materials you can use to protect your pipes from breaking. And that’s a pretty normal thing to happen if the temperatures reach very low levels. We realize that this might be a bit too much for your budget, so in that case, you can do something else. Wrapping your pipes with something as simple as newspapers can prevent them from bursting.

How to find a hidden camera

The good news is that with a little research and knowledge, you can locate any hidden camera. Because the majority of them will be linked to a network, it is possible to scan for radio frequencies or count the number of network connections using some detection equipment or an App.

A physical search, on the other hand, can be more reliable and make all the difference. So let’s figure out how to do it and where to begin.

Know what you’re looking for

There are both day and night cameras. Many are equipped with motion sensors, which means they will only turn on when something moves nearby and activates them. That is why conducting a physical search is a viable option. They are available in a variety of sizes and resolutions. However, regardless of type or size, all cameras require a clear view with no obstructions.

Start by observing the place in normal light

Start by observing the place in normal lighting conditions. See if you find weird or strangely placed items. Remember, a camera needs a good point of view, without obstacles. An awkward dot in an object or wall, a shiny bump on an object, wires that don’t seem to belong to the equipment they are connected to, or power outlets or adapters plugged for no obvious reason are all suspect.

Check if you can hear a buzz

Cameras make a low buzzing noise when connected. See if you can hear anything in general while you move along the area. Pay special attention in areas such as bathrooms, near the bed, and in common or working areas.

See if all surrounding objects are what they seem

Check if all the items are in the places they’re meant to be and if they work properly. Situations, where an object has a strange hole or too much wiring, or instances where there is more than one object with the same function, are strange.

In changing rooms, always test the mirrors with a simple trick: touch the mirror with one finger and see if there is a gap between your finger and its reflection. In a normal mirror, there is a normal gap. But in fake 2-way mirrors, there is no gap. Don’t use a fitting room where fake mirrors are used.

The most common places to hide spy cameras inside a house are electronics, being the most common; then there are smoke detectors, electrical outlets, like power adaptors, digital TV and Internet boxes, wall sockets, air filter equipment, or alarm clocks.

Other popular objects to consider are wall clocks, pens, lava lamps, tissue boxes, books and shelves, hairdryer holders, and stuffed teddy bears. Plants (among the leaves) and vases are also common, just like couch cushions, clothes hooks, tabletops, and wall decorations.

Use a lantern

If you find something strange, like a hole or a bump, but you’re not sure if it can be a camera or just a normal thing on the object, shine a bright light directly onto it. If it’s a camera, it will reflect a “bluish” light when you do so.

Turn off the lights and use your smartphone

Then after that first step, turn off the lights and look for soft light spots. Found none? Then it’s time to use your smartphone.

The IR spectrum light used by night cameras is invisible to the human eye, but not to most front cameras on a smartphone. While in complete darkness, use your front-facing camera (which commonly doesn’t have an IR filter) to look around the place. If you find any light that you can’t see without your camera, you might have found something.

What to do if you find a hidden camera

If you find a spy camera that was not disclosed to you, you should immediately walk away and call the police.

Don’t interfere with it or try to check anything else. You might be erasing the evidence the police need. Remember, it might have been the person who owns/rents the place, but it could have also been planted by a trespasser for some other reason.