Planning Your Chicken Coop

The journey to maintaining a healthy chicken coop starts with the right design. A thoughtfully planned chicken coop sets the foundation for a thriving flock. Well-thought-out chicken coop building plans are fundamental to providing a comfortable space for your chickens. Planning involves considering the physical structure, location, and materials to be used.

Location and Size

Choosing the right location for your chicken coop is pivotal. Opt for a spot that provides adequate sunlight and ventilation, vital for your chickens' health. Sunlight helps with egg production and keeps the coop dry, reducing disease risk. Ventilation is equally important to prevent ammonia buildup from droppings, which can harm your chickens' respiratory systems.
The coop should be spacious enough to accommodate all your chickens comfortably. Overcrowding can lead to stress and aggressive behaviors among the flock. A general rule of thumb is to allow at least 3-4 square feet per chicken inside the coop and 8-10 square feet in the run area. This space ensures that each chicken has enough room to move freely, reducing the risk of injury and promoting natural behaviors like dust bathing and foraging.

Design Considerations

Designing a coop involves balancing aesthetics with functionality. When designing or choosing a coop, think about how to build a backyard chicken coop that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. While cute chicken coop designs can add charm to your yard, they must be practical. Practical features are those that make maintenance easy and ensure the well-being of your flock.

Look for features like easy cleaning access, which will simplify your maintenance routine and help keep the environment sanitary. Roosting bars should be positioned higher than nesting boxes, as chickens instinctively seek higher ground for sleeping. Nesting boxes should be cozy and dark to encourage egg-laying. Additionally, incorporating predator-proof elements, such as sturdy locks and wire mesh, is essential to protect your chickens from potential threats.

Environmental Considerations

The environment surrounding your coop plays a significant role in the health of your chickens. Consider planting shrubs or trees nearby to provide shade and shelter from harsh weather. This natural landscaping can also serve as a windbreak, keeping the coop warmer during colder months. Moreover, trees and bushes can attract insects, providing an additional food source for your chickens.

Think about the direction of prevailing winds and how they might affect the coop. Position the coop to benefit from natural airflow without being exposed to strong, cold gusts. A well-placed coop will stay drier and more comfortable for your flock, reducing the risk of illness and promoting overall health.

Building and Setting Up Your Chicken Coop

Once your chicken coop plans are ready, the next step is construction and setup. This phase is where your careful planning comes to life. Whether you opt for a DIY chicken coop or a chicken coop kit for six chickens, proper assembly and setup are key, whether you opt for a DIY chicken coop or a chicken coop kit for 6 six chickens. A well-built coop shelters your chickens and simplifies your daily chores.

Materials and Construction

Selecting the right materials is crucial for a durable and secure chicken coop. Choose durable materials to withstand weather conditions and potential predators. Weather-resistant materials like treated wood can prolong the life of your coop, reducing the need for frequent repairs. How to build a quick chicken coop or a small chicken pen may depend on the materials you have at hand.

Use treated wood for longevity and 19-gauge ½” galvanized hardwire cloth mesh to keep predators out while allowing ventilation. The wire mesh should be sturdy enough to resist attempts by predators like raccoons or foxes. Hardwire cloth is tougher and more resistant to tearing than chicken wire. The foundation of your coop should be solid to prevent burrowing predators from gaining access. Consider burying the hardwire cloth 12” below the ground surface to prevent predators from burrowing under the wire.

Interior Setup

The layout inside the coop should promote comfort and efficiency. Ensure there are enough nesting boxes for egg-laying hens. Typically, one box per 3-4 hens suffices. Nesting boxes should be filled with dry bedding to keep eggs clean and reduce the risk of egg breakage.

Install roosting bars higher than the nesting boxes, as chickens prefer to sleep off the ground. Roosting bars should be smooth but sturdy, offering a comfortable perch for your chickens. Consider chicken coop run ideas that allow easy access to food and water. Position feeders and waterers to minimize waste and contamination, such as hanging them at back height to prevent scratching.

Security Features

Security should be a priority when setting up your chicken coop. Incorporate features that deter predators and keep your flock safe. This includes secure latches on doors and windows and reinforced mesh on all openings. To ensure the coop's perimeter is secure, bury wire mesh at least a foot underground to prevent digging predators.

Consider installing motion-activated lights or cameras to deter nighttime intruders further. These security features protect your chickens and provide peace of mind, knowing your flock is safe even when you're not around.

Maintaining the Coop Environment

Regular maintenance is crucial to ensure your coop remains a healthy environment. A well-maintained coop reduces the risk of disease and encourages consistent egg production. Here are some tips on keeping your chicken house design in top shape:

Cleaning Routine

Establishing a routine cleaning schedule is vital for a sanitary coop. Regular cleaning helps prevent the buildup of harmful bacteria and parasites. Establish a cleaning schedule to keep your coop sanitary. Remove droppings and soiled bedding regularly to minimize odor and disease risk.

Deep clean the coop every few months by removing all bedding, scrubbing surfaces with a mild disinfectant, and replacing with fresh bedding. When cleaning, pay special attention to corners and crevices where mites and lice can hide. Natural cleaning solutions can be effective and safe for your chickens, ensuring their environment remains healthy.

Pest Control

Effective pest control is essential for maintaining a healthy coop environment. Monitor your chickens regularly for signs of parasites such as mites or lice. Incorporate natural pest deterrents, like diatomaceous earth, into your coop maintenance routine. Sprinkle it in nesting boxes and along roosting bars to deter pests.

Consider using herbal sprays or essential oils to repel insects without harming your chickens. Planting herbs like lavender or mint around the coop can also serve as natural repellents, creating a pleasant-smelling and pest-free environment.

Seasonal Adjustments

Adapt your coop maintenance routine according to the seasons. During winter, ensure the coop remains warm and dry by adding extra bedding and sealing any drafts. Instead of relying on traditional heat lamps, consider using the Cozy Chickens™ Coop Heating Panel. This chicken heater provides a safe and efficient way to keep your chickens warm during the colder months without the fire hazards associated with heat lamps. It offers even heat distribution, can help prevent frostbite on your chickens' combs and wattles, and can help prevent water from freezing.

In summer, focus on ventilation to keep the coop cool and prevent heat stress. Regularly check the coop's structure for any damage or wear that might compromise its integrity. Seasonal adjustments help maintain a stable environment, ensuring your chickens stay healthy and comfortable year-round.

Give Your Garden a Boost

According to a survey conducted by the University of California, Davis, gardening has become a popular activity amidst the COVID-19 pandemic as a means to alleviate stress, connect with others, and stay healthy by growing your own food. For those new to cultivating their own produce, there is a learning curve involved. Proper care throughout all stages of the cultivation process is essential to produce healthier and more abundant fruits and vegetables. With the right care and attention, gardens can yield high-quality produce.

The GroMat and Super GroMat are excellent tools for those looking to get a head start on building a healthy garden. These indoor heated seedling mats can maximize germination rates while maintaining proper environmental control for delicate seedlings, providing a significant boost for springtime growth. These germination mats are energy-efficient and use minimal power, saving households money on their electric bill.

Keep Pests Away

One of the biggest issues that plague gardeners is keeping rabbits, deer, birds, and other pest animals from helping themselves to the fruits of your labor. Keeping pests away is essential to the vitality of your plants, and it’s possible to do this without the use of harmful poisons and chemicals. One way this can be achieved is with the use of electronic pest repellers, such as the Solar Yard Gard or Deer Gard. These devices deter pests using ultrasonic soundwaves that are irritating to pests but inaudible to most humans. Electronic pest deterrents are most effective when paired with a visual deterrent, such as a realistic predator decoy or outdoor laser deterrent, which makes the area generally unpleasant for pest animals.

Perhaps the most effective way to keep birds and other animals out of your garden is to use bird netting to exclude them from the area. Bird netting can be secured around your garden while still allowing sunlight to pass through. Anti-bird net is trusted not only by backyard gardeners, but also by farmers and other professional agricultural and commercial applications.

Protecting your produce from bugs and parasites without using harmful poisons can be challenging. Keeping a backyard chicken flock is a naturalistic solution to keeping bugs away, while also providing an additional benefit of producing food for your household.

Keep Your Chickens Happy and Healthy

In addition to the surge in home gardening, there has also been a notable increase in backyard chicken-keeping. This trend, which began during the pandemic, remains strong and is being driven by the need to offset the cost of inflation at the grocery store.

The key to producing healthy eggs is ensuring the health and happiness of your backyard flock. In the colder seasons, particularly in early spring as egg-laying season begins, keeping your chickens warm is crucial and improves the likelihood of them laying eggs. Although many backyard chicken keepers use heat lamps in their coops, a safer and more energy-efficient alternative is the use of flat panel radiant heaters, such as the Cozy Coop. This heater is tested to meet strict safety standards, ensuring your flocks’ safety above all else, while only using about 13% of the electricity of a standard space heater.

Do you have any recommendations that have helped you maintain a healthy garden and backyard flock? Let us know in the comments.

Energy Saving Personal Heaters

Energy-saving personal heaters are a fantastic way to save money on your electric bill while still maintaining heat around the house. Cozy’s Eco-Save Heater operates the same way as a traditional 1,500 watt space heater, but it only uses half the energy. This product allows the user to lower their thermostat and stay warm while saving on their electric bill.

Fix leaky faucets and change aerators

Check your home for dripping faucets, running toilets, or leaks under sinks. Even a small leak can drive up your water and electricity expenses (if leaking hot water). A leaking faucet can cost you $20 a month, and a running toilet can use 200 gallons of water per day and cost $75 to $150 a month.

By using an aerator with a lower GPM output, or “gallons per minute,” you can restrict the amount of water flow coming from the tap. This can drastically reduce the amount of water wasted to lower your water bill, as well as reducing your usage of hot water to save energy.

Seal cracks around windows and install door sweeps

For a low-cost weekend project, you can seal air leaks around your windows and external doors with weatherstrips and save 5%-10% on your heating and cooling bills. Door sweeps are the small pieces of rubber or vinyl at the bottom of your door that effectively cover the gap where the door meets the bottom of the frame. They help regulate the temperature indoors and have an added benefit of discouraging unwelcome pests such as bugs and mice. Insulating your windows and doors can provide huge benefits to your comfort level and your monthly energy bill.

Grow your own produce

Groceries aren’t exactly a “utility” bill, but who doesn’t want to save money at the store? Improve your family’s health and save on groceries by growing your own produce. Get started on your own vegetable or herb garden with Cozy GroMats. The GroMats maintain proper environmental control for delicate seedlings to grow and flourish during winter months. These mats only use 90 watts of energy and are one of the most efficient ways to grow plants indoors.

Switch to LED bulbs

Phasing out your incandescent bulbs and switching to LED light bulbs is one of the most efficient ways of reducing energy around the house. According to ComEd, a 60 watt incandescent bulb can be replaced with a 6-11 watt LED. Although the initial price of an LED bulb is more expensive, they also last up to 25 times longer than an incandescent light bulb. You’ll unlikely to ever have to change the bulb again! 

“We recently distributed over 450 Toasty Toes foot warmers as a green initiative at our company. We are a Fortune 500 company with a campus of over 1 million square feet of office space. A recent survey found almost 500 space heaters on campus. By replacing the majority of space heaters, we conservatively estimate that our company will save over $17,000 in electricity costs, not to mention over 140,000 pounds in greenhouse gases in just one heating season! Not only are your units inherently safer but the nuisance breaker trips from space heaters are now almost nonexistent. I only wish your products were more readily available from some of our approved suppliers, such as Grainger or Staples. Now that the giveaway is over, people want to know where to get them! Thanks for providing us with an easy way to save energy and improve office safety." 

“I was put in charge of operating the physical plant here at [company undisclosed] about 18 months ago. I've been tasked with reducing energy costs and finding inefficiencies within our operations. As I was looking through various EPA, DOE, and many college websites, I came across the idea of using foot warmers instead of space heaters. Over the years, we've experienced just about every negative that space heaters have, with the exception of a fire, thankfully. From the survey that showed almost 500 space heaters in our offices alone, it was obvious the problem had gotten way out of hand.”

“After an exhaustive search and sampling many different products, I settled on Toasty Toes. One big plus for this product was the red LED that turns on when the unit is operating. I wanted something that would remind the user that the unit was on. To be honest, that little red light is what swayed my decision. I know that Cozy Products® offers several products, but for simplicity's sake I chose a one size fits all solution."

Additionally, here's what the U.S. Department of Energy has to say about energy efficiency and renewable energy in regards to portable heaters:

Small space heaters are typically used when the main heating system is inadequate or when central heating is too costly to install or operate. In some cases, small space heaters can be less expensive to use if you only want to heat one room or supplement inadequate heating in one room. They can also boost the temperature of rooms used by individuals who are sensitive to cold, especially elderly persons, without overheating your entire home.

Although most space heaters rely on convection (the circulation of air in a room) to heat a room, some rely on radiant heating; that is, they emit infrared radiation that directly heats up objects and people that are within their line of sight. Radiant heaters are a more efficient choice when you will be in a room for only a few hours if you can remain within the line of sight of the heater. They can be more efficient when using a room for a short period because they avoid the energy needed to heat the entire room by instead directly heating the occupant of the room and the occupant's immediate surroundings.

Here are a few gifts any new renter is sure to use and love throughout the year.

Cookbooks

A cookbook is a timeless gift that any new renter will appreciate, especially if they are looking to save money after taking on new expenses with rent and utility bills. A recipe book entirely devoted to soup recipes is also great for renters who need easy to make ideas that will also keep them warm during winter.

Artwork

Just because they are renting doesn’t mean you can’t gift them artwork for their new space. Art is a great way to make an apartment or other rental property feel like a home. Make it easy for them to hang their new decor by including plastic hooks or adhesive strips that won’t leave holes or marks on the wall.

Low-Maintenance Plants

Plants make great house-warming gifts. For renters who may have little or no access to a porch or patio, choose low-maintenance, indoor plants. Plants like peace lilies require minimal sunlight and only need to be watered about once a week. Cacti and other succulents also require minimal watering, especially in colder weather. Air plants are difficult to kill, even for the most neglectful plant parents.

Energy-Efficient Space Heaters

Want to give a gift that is sure to please any first-time renter? An energy-efficient space heater provides extra warmth, but can also lower monthly energy bills. Traditional space heaters could result in wasted energy and wasted dollars, so opt for one that is energy-efficient. To ensure safety, choose a heater that has an ETL Zero-Clearance Rating, as they can be placed on or against combustible items without the risk of fire.

In addition, many space heaters are now available with sleeker designs, like our Cozy Legs Flat Panel Heater. In a small space like an apartment, gift an appliance that won’t take up a lot of room.

Because space heaters are designed to warm people as opposed to entire rooms, they are great for renters who have roommates who may be more comfortable at a cooler temperature.

NBC Chicago recently shared a helpful list of top tips for staying safe during extreme winter conditions. We’ve broken them down into key takeaways to help you stay warm, protected, and a step ahead of the cold.

1. If You Can Stay Home, Do It

Sometimes the smartest move is... no move at all.

• Avoid going outside unless absolutely necessary.

• Cold-related illnesses can strike faster than you think—especially in wind chills that dip into dangerous territory.

2. Layer Up Like a Pro

When you do have to head out, dress like you’re prepping for a snowball fight on Mars.

• Wear lightweight, breathable layers to trap heat.

• Don’t forget hats, gloves, scarves, and warm, waterproof boots.

3. Know the Warning Signs of Hypothermia & Frostbite

Extreme cold doesn’t play around. Stay alert for signs that something’s not right:

• Hypothermia: Uncontrollable shivering, confusion, drowsiness, weak pulse.

• Frostbite: Numbness, pale or grayish skin, hard or waxy-feeling patches.

If you or someone else shows any of these symptoms, get medical attention ASAP.

4. Be Ready for Power Outages

Mother Nature likes to cut the lights when you least expect it. Prepare now so you’re not scrambling later.

• Keep flashlights and extra batteries on hand.

• Stock up on shelf-stable food and bottled water (at least 3 days’ worth).

• Have emergency heating options that are safe for indoor use.

• A portable radio can keep you informed if the Wi-Fi goes out.

5. Winterize Your Ride

Your car needs a winter survival kit just as much as your home does.

• Stock an emergency car kit: blankets, snacks, water, flashlight, phone charger, jumper cables, and a small shovel.

• Make sure your tires are winter-ready, and keep your gas tank at least half full to avoid fuel line freeze.

• Driving on icy roads? Take it slow and leave plenty of space between vehicles.

Final Thoughts: Smart Preparation is the Best Protection

From snow-covered sidewalks to frozen-over freeways, winter spares no one. But with a few smart precautions, you can stay ahead of the freeze.

Bottom line? Respect the cold, prepare for the worst, and bundle up like your life depends on it—because in weather like this, it just might.

Stay safe, stay warm, and remember: it’s better to over-prepare than to under-dress!

The Science of Cold Pain

Your body is equipped with a highly sensitive system of nerve endings designed to detect changes in temperature, which helps keep you safe in extreme environments. These nerve endings fall into three main categories:

1. Cold receptors (also known as thermoreceptors): These are activated when temperatures drop, allowing your body to sense cold conditions. They help your brain understand when it’s time to react to cold environments, such as seeking warmth or putting on more layers.

2. Warm receptors: These respond to higher temperatures, alerting your body to the presence of heat. Warm receptors ensure that you don’t overheat, triggering sweating and cooling mechanisms when temperatures rise.

3. Pain receptors (also known as nociceptors): These nerve endings are sensitive to extremes of temperature (both hot and cold) that may cause damage to tissues. When exposed to either intense heat or cold, pain receptors are triggered as part of your body’s defense mechanism to avoid injury.

When your hands or feet are exposed to cold weather, both cold receptors and pain receptors are activated. As the temperature drops, your cold receptors detect the chill and send signals to your brain, while your pain receptors react to the extreme cold as a potential threat to your body. This simultaneous activation of both receptors creates a sensory overlap, intensifying the sensation of discomfort and causing the cold to feel even more painful than it would if only one set of receptors were engaged.

This is why you may notice that your hands and feet feel not just cold, but painful in frigid conditions. The body is signaling that it’s time to warm up those extremities to prevent further discomfort or potential harm.

Circulation Matters

To protect vital organs during cold exposure, your body restricts blood flow to less essential areas—fingers and toes. While this survival mechanism is smart, it leaves extremities with less warmth and even more sensitivity.

And since hands and feet are packed with nerve endings, they’re more likely to scream out (literally) when the cold bites.

Cozy Solutions for Cold Sensitivity

At Cozy Products, we get it. That’s why we specialize in safe, low-wattage personal heaters designed to warm you, not the room. Using about the same energy as a standard lightbulb, our heaters provide direct warmth where it matters most—without racking up your energy bill.

Our products are tested by trusted third parties to ensure safety, reliability, and peace of mind. So whether you’re working in a chilly office, relaxing at home, or even keeping your pets warm, Cozy has your back (and your toes).

Stay warm. Stay safe. Stay Cozy.

While some may disagree, science has come to an agreement that humans are the reason for the world’s quick changes in climate. Dangerously, temperatures are reaching alarming heights due to greenhouse gas emission and the use of fossil fuels. This severe situation not only presents threats to businesses, but provides an opportunity to make best of the situation.

According to Prooper, Buzan, and Garvaglia, switching to renewable sources as an alternative means of energy, could combat the challenge of climate change in the long-term. Not convincing enough? Well, stricter fossil fuel regulations along with their dramatic price fluctuations further persuade businesses to take on green initiatives.

The article categorizes the reasons companies should commit to environmental actions with 3 specific groups: Must-have initiatives, ROI-driven initiatives, and human values-related initiatives. Beginning with the first, must-have initiatives surround the strict compliance to environmental regulations. It is believed to aid in a business’s overall aggregation process, due to the difficulty of smaller companies to overcome such tough barriers.

Secondly, return on investment initiatives tend to relate to the overall decline in energy consumption. In turn, the decrease in energy use further lessens the emission of greenhouse gases. Holcim, an international cement manufacturing company, had taken advantage of the opportunity to replace their old kilns with modern equipment, and produce electric energy through thermal power plants. From 2004-2007, the project caused total emissions to drop a whole 500,000 tons of CO₂.

Another significant factor that pushes businesses toward green actions is human values. As companies have a great impact on society, the importance of incorporating social issues into strategy could have great benefits. This helps to portray a positive image of a business’s benefiting role in society.

The Huffington Post brings to light a prime example involving two top tech companies who are taking on environmental initiatives.  Microsoft and IBM have engaged in working to fight China’s air pollution through the development of forecasting technology. Utilizing such systems could ultimately help residents avoid dangerous amounts of pollution exposure, as well as aid in the official decisions to temporarily close down polluting factories.

All in all, no matter the business, each will be affected by climate change in one way or another. Although it may take patience and time to see the benefits first-hand, recognizing and acting on these initiatives can contribute in the establishment of a more valued company.

From holidays, birthdays, and all other special occasions in between, last minute shopping can be quite stressful and overwhelming. Giving the perfect present may be better made, than store-bought. Here’s one great idea: a DIY coloring book. In instances where you are contemplating a gift that is original, yet affordable, this coloring book may be the ultimate life-saver. Bring out your creative side and get started.

1. Collect it: This first step is what makes this gift all about personalization. Think of the special someone who will be unwrapping the surprise. Collect a bunch of photos that represent their personality, interests, or hobbies. For example, images of hot chocolate, the Eco-Save Heater, and of course Ryan Gosling, define what it means to be crazy cozy for the perfect Cozy Products coloring book.

2. Edit It: Open up your favorite photo editing software. In this case, Photoshop will do the job. A greyscale effect (image>mode>greyscale) and trace contour filter (filter>Stylize>trace contour) is one way to transform each photo into a coloring page. Other photo adjustments may have to be made before these effects are applied (to produce better contrast), in order to create the perfect coloring page platform. Just play with it and watch as the magic happens.

3. Print It: After you have finished the full transformation, print those babies out!

4. Cover It: This next step is less about instruction and more about creativity. A book is nothing without its cover. Create the perfect front cover and back cover for the important duty of holding everything together. This is the perfect opportunity to add some color to this currently colorless book.

5. Bind It: There are a number of options for binding all of the pages together. There’s needle and thread, string and hole punches, or simple just glue. Pick your weapon and let at it.

6. Gift It: Once everything is securely fastened, it’s ready to give. Tie around a little ribbon and it’s all good to go! Watch as the smiles commence as the surprise is unwrapped and enjoyed.
 

Stupid cold winter is blowing in fast. But you can always outsmart it—maybe. Here are the best discovered solutions that work.

4. Go back inside.

5. Hibernate.

14. Turn on Netflix and watch a summery movie.

15. Start to feel lonely.

21. Attempt to leave the house to beg for your job back. Your boogers are now frozen icicles.

23. Pour another drink…or two…or five.

27. Convince yourself that selling snow is your best bet.

Or, you can just use Cozy Products to actually stay warm.

The cold hits, the snow melts, and then it all freezes to ice. As this slippery layer takes hold of the ground, it becomes a huge struggle to find traction. Being extremely cautious with every step is time-consuming and annoying. Additionally, slipping and falling can be more than embarrassing. It can be dangerous and painful. Prepare for a less-gruesome winter. Avoid causing a stressful scene from your fall of shame with these 5 products. It’s about time to get a grip and eliminate the slip.

1. Mini Ice Grippers: Resembling something quite similar to a rubber-band, these Mini Ice Grippers provide extra traction with metal studs. Simply stretching the band over your shoes of choice, can keep you from unwanted sliding. Choose between neon pink, blue, or black to hit the ice with style.

2. Shoe Grip Spray: Grip in a can! It can’t get easier than this. Spraying the formula onto the soles of your shoes can help to improve traction on the slippery ice without ruining your footwear. This option is perfect if you don’t like adding any extra bulk to your shoes.

3. Yaktrax: Yaktrax are made for those who are active in snowy and icy environments. Simply attaching the device, made of steel coils and rubber, onto the bottoms of your shoes, can allow for enough stability even run in snowy conditions. Now if you don’t call that grip, I don’t know what you do.

4. Dog Boots: Let’s not forget about the dogs. Specially designed booties give your pet a little more “unf” in their step. It’s style, warmth, and grip all-in-one. Up your puppy’s winter wardrobe with this perfect edition.

5.Ice Skate Heels: Maybe you don’t mind the ice, but you’d rather slide in style. These Ice Skate Heels are not the most practical choice of shoes, but definitely contribute a little more fun into your life. Stand out this winter by gliding across icy walkways instead of the plain-old walking everyone else does.

If you are currently reading this blog for costume ideas, you could be one of two specific people—the ultimate Halloween procrastinator, or the over prepared individual already making plans for next year. No matter the case, the Halloween spirit can definitely overwhelm anyone trying to choose the perfect costume. Should you make it? Should you buy it? Is it original enough? Is it comfortable? Is it warm? As the colder weather continues to creep in while temperatures lower through the night, a top concern regarding what to wear could definitely be the weather. Who can complain about an original costume that doesn’t require you to freeze to death? Here are 7 warm and unique costume ideas that may do you just that:

1. The Throwback Costume: Beanie baby costumes will not only allow you to cover up, but they are surely a crowd-pleaser. Just combine a soft animal onesie with the all-famous ‘TY’ tag, and you’re pretty much set. It’s nearly impossible to mess this one up.

2. The Minimal Movement Costume: Felt, felt, and more green felt! Being a cactus would undoubtedly be an unexpected choice amongst your friends—definitely highlighting your sense of imagination. Throwing on a mustache could be the perfect ending touch. You may not be able to maneuver around as easily as norm, but boy are you going to receive a ton of smile and laughs.

3. The Easily Recognizable Costume: Who doesn’t know the Toy Story movie? My bet is not too many people. By dressing up as these Pixar aliens, it will be beyond simple to disguise your warmth. Since the outfit requires warm gloves and a hat, the cold will have a harder time reaching your body. Make all of your close friends join in just to multiply the fun.

4. The Extremely Realistic Costume: Dressing up like toy army men is perfect for kids and adults alike. Simply ‘greenify’ every piece of your outfit. If your costume is carried out correctly, people may have a hard time determining whether you’re real or fake—what a great trick and treat.

5. A Candy-Lover’s Costume: Why not prepare for candy by being a character from a candy movie? Willy Wonka’s Violet Beauregarde will do little to make you feel blue, but do more to make you look blue. Beware of narrow hallways or you will surely be stuck in a rut.

6. The Cute yet Unexpected Costume: This girl chose to transform into the face of a brand—the Snuggle (fabric softener) bear. This is a creative, cute, and warm costume for that will have everyone turning their heads for a second glimpse. Truly adorable…

7. You are What you Eat Costume: You can definitely alter this idea to fit an adult, but for some reason it looks extra fitting on babies—maybe it’s their resembling size to an actual burrito. Have everyone almost die of a cuteness overload, when they witness your newborn wrapped in a foil-like blanket as their favorite meal…Chipotle!

Summer is gone and fall is here. As the winds get stronger and the airs get colder, everyone will be wishing for that little extra boost of heat.  However, that doesn’t mean you have to say goodbye to the warmth that had-been. Keep comfy and stay cozy with these 6 ways to live a life of ultimate warmth during the chilly seasons to come.

1. Look Warm. There comes a time when one has to leave the warmth of the house and enter the dreadful outdoors-usually greeted with a huge slap to the face by the wind. In these cases, layers are you’re best of friends. From tank-tops, shorts, T-shirts, jeans, sweatpants, sweaters, and coats, no clothing is discriminated against. Wear them all! The more you wear the closer that summer warmth feels.

2. See Warmth. There’s nothing wrong about missing the summer heat. You can always reminisce. Throw on your favorite summertime chick-flick while taking a Jacuzzi bath in your bikini. Okay, maybe you don’t have to take it to that extreme.  Maybe you could simply snuggle by the fire place to remember that marvelous warmth. You can’t go wrong here.

3. Breathe Warmth. Hot showers are the ultimate skin warmer. The pleasantly hot water will do more than just keep you warm. By breathing in the steam it will relax you like no other. There’s no better way to spend a chilly night.

4. Eat Warm. Soup, chili, fondue, oh my! Now it’s time to talk about everyone’s favorite thing to do—eat. Even though it's becoming chilly outside, it doesn’t mean your meals have to be any less delicious. Eating warm foods is a great way to beat the cold. From homemade turkey chili to a cup of your favorite soup, and from cheesy fondue to chocolate fondue, every meal will keep you warm and wanting for more.

5. Drink Warm. It’s time to take your favorite seasonal drinks to the next level. Let’s use hot chocolate for example. Why not spike it up with a dash of RumChata or your most desired chocolate liquor? Sometimes you need a little change for the weekend…or maybe the whole week. Drink up and have fun with it!

6. Sleep Warm. This last step is easy. Throw on your favorite matching pajamas and roll yourself into a giant blanket eggroll. Gather the rest of your blankets lying around your house to make the ultimate comfy spot for a good night sleep.

With these 6 easy steps, you now know how to eat, drink, and sleep the warmth. The cold will have nothing on you now.

A long work day can be stressful by itself; however, having to endure freezing or sweltering conditions while trying to get the job done doesn’t make anything better. When it comes to thermostat wars, it is difficult to please the whole office—bosses can be trying to lower the energy costs, employees can be in constant disagreement over what’s best, and in the end no one’s happy. As a result, some employees are too hot while others are too cold—causing unhappy, less productive workers.

For most offices, thermostats are set at lower temperatures to appease the workers that are too hot (who quickly become cranky and demand more AC—anyone who’s worked in a large office knows that summertime office climate means sweater weather).

As many offices prohibit personal space heaters, intensely cold temperatures are a force to be reckoned with, causing chilly workers to try all possible alternatives. From using Snuggies to wearing layer upon layer, the choices for keeping warm becomes an unnecessary hassle.

Others may even be so distressed as to smuggle in dangerous heaters just to keep comfortable, introducing a greater problem. The desperation to stay warm requires a constant effort from workday to workday. Sneaky...

To all those who find this situation extremely real, Cozy Products offers personal heaters that most offices accept. Meeting strict ETL safety standards and using radiant heat technology, the risk and danger concerns are diminished. With low wattage, low surface temperatures, and auto-shut off features, they not only effectively warm cold workplaces, but they help to drop the cost of energy bills. Unlike standard space heaters, Cozy heaters only heat small areas—so workers more sensitive to overheating can rejoice.

You are not alone when it comes to the struggles of a terribly cold office. Employees are forced to take initiative and use their imagination in search for that much needed warmth. With green heaters, individuals are allowed to control the comfort of their space without disturbing co-workers next door. It is the perfect solution for such a prominent problem in the workplace. Now, let’s take the time to relate to these people…

A satisfied Cozy Products customer, Andy P., shares his experience with the Cozy Products Foot Warmer mat.

‘I always suffered from cold feet,’ explains Andy P., but ‘bein’ a guy, I thought, you just deal with it.’ Working out of the basement in his house in Howell, Michigan, his home office could be toasty warm, but that concrete slab under his feet ‘stayed freezing – cold as all get-out!’ The last couple of winters were so cold, Andy finally decided he had to do something.

‘I never could stay warm! I was just miserable. I tried electric socks – they were no good. I tried a heater under my desk – didn’t help my feet any. It got so bad, lunchtimes I used to come upstairs and put my feet in a bath of hot water to thaw out!’

So Andy kept up the search – until he found the Foot Warmer. This heated rubber mat gently warms your feet with direct heat as you sit or stand. When feet are warm, the rest of you stays comfortable – as Andy soon discovered. ‘I found this thing online, read the reviews, and thought, Get out! It’s a no-brainer! So I ordered it right away. I’m chompin’ at the bit, waiting for it to show up! It came on a Monday. Couldn’t wait to crank it up! My wife got home and found me watching Monday night football, with my feet on the Foot Warmer mat. She says, what IS that thing? I told her and she said Oh my god, is that cool! I told her, No, it’s awesome!’

‘I was wasting energy and money running space heaters, when all you need is the Footwarmer, because it’s your feet that get cold!’ says Andy. ‘I love it! It’s just a godsend. I like to wear wool socks, and I tell you, there’s two times in a day when my feet are warm – in bed with my wool socks on, and when I’m workin’ at my desk, with my feet on the Footwarmer!’

Andy ordered the Hi-Lo switch too, for extra flexibility, so he confirms that ‘for wearing shoes, the High setting’s perfect, and with socks, you use the low setting. It keeps my feet warm, and my calves too.’ He’s so happy with his Footwarmer, he says, ‘this thing is the cat’s meow – I’m usin’ it right now. I’m diggin’ it!’

Chris, a happy COZY Products customer, called us on January 27, 2014 from Riverside, IL, an area of the country facing a high of 1°F (-17°C) and a low of -15°F (-26°C) that day.

Chris’s problem: when temperatures drop a certain degree, his external on-demand water heater shuts off to protect itself from damage, leaving him with no hot water on chilly days!

Chris’s solution: Chris found the Cozy Legs to be EXACTLY the right size to install between joists in his house, stating “it fit amazingly well!” He installed a Cozy Legs flat-panel personal space heater in the panel space of his wall behind the external water heater and waterproofed it from the outside. The uni-directional heat output put the heat exactly where he needed it, without wasting energy.

Because it only uses 150 watts, and is an ETL-Certified Zero-Clearance item, this heater does not pose the energy costs or fire hazards of most space heaters.

For little cost and minimal set-up, Chris can now enjoy his hot water on days he otherwise could not. “It was just what I was looking for!”

 
Photo credit: http://www.personalcreations.com/

1.  Small enough to fit in a stocking!

With each warmer measuring a mere 4.5 by 2.8 inches (and only 6mm thick) these tiny wonders will fit in the stocking and leave plenty of room for candy canes! But don’t let the size fool you – the Cozy Feet battery-powered foot warmers are more than your average stocking stuffer!

2. Kill two gifts with one stone!

Gearing up for the holiday season, Cozy Products is offering a free pair of Cozy Feet when you buy any other space heater! You can get two gifts for the price of one – and the recipient never has to know it was free!

3. Convince your spouse to take you on a ski trip!

Cozy Feet are water resistant and battery powered, which means you can take them skiing! Unlike chemical warmers, they’re reusable, which is much more cost effective. Isn’t the idea of gliding down a mountain while your feet remain perfectly cozy at 98°F enough reason to take that ski trip you’ve always wanted?

 4. Make snow shoveling appealing!

It happens every year. The snow fills up your driveway and somebody has to do something about it. Maybe everyone in the household does rock, paper, scissors to see who gets the job. Or maybe some unlucky person is stuck with that responsibility year after year. Whatever the case, this year will be different. Crown the king (or queen!) of the snow shovel with Cozy Feet and everyone will want the job!

5. Great for city visits (or city living)!

If you’ve ever visited (or lived in) a city then you know you end up spending a lot of time outside. If you don’t drive you’ll spend time walking around and waiting for buses or trains. If you do drive you’ll most likely still be walking a few blocks to and from the car. Cozy Feet are a great gift for anyone who’s stuck walking around outside in the winter. Whether your loved one lives in a city, works in a city, or just really enjoys urban shopping trips – Cozy Feet will make their winter walking a lot more pleasant!

6. Perfect gift for engaged people (“So you won’t get cold feet!”)!

Okay, so it’s a little bit corny, but if you know anybody who’s about to get hitched Cozy Feet will earn you a laugh if you mention “cold feet” on the card. You know you snickered when you read the heading!

7. Convince your friend to go to the game with you!

If you’re the type of person who will go to a football game no matter how cold it is outside I bet you’ve had some trouble trying to convince someone to accompany you in below freezing temperatures. Take away their excuse to refuse by giving them Cozy Feet! You get company at the game, and they get to stay warm – everyone’s a winner (except maybe your team)!

-Jessica Rodriguez, Bird-X Blogger

Be safe, live green, save money, stay Cozy.

Cozy Legs Press Release

Real Simple Magazine’s ‘Daily Finds’ Newsletter names the Cozy Legs Radiant Heater Panel one of the top 7 Space Heaters on the market. Editors recommend space heaters based on price, safety features, versatility, heating capacity, and more. Real Simple editors describe Cozy Legs as “Good news for those with perpetually cold feet.

Cozy Products is pushing the low-wattage space heater movement to a new level by encouraging Space Heater Swaps.

What is a space heater swap?  It’s when a business owner or facility manager makes the decision to replace all old high-wattage space heaters currently used by employees, with low-wattage, energy-efficient Cozy heaters.

Why would a company want to invest in space heaters for employees?  Typical space heaters use 1500-2500 watts.  If multiple users are running these high-wattage devices on a daily basis, the problems and the costs add up quick:

• Adding thousands of dollars to the company electrical bill
• Creating serious fire hazards, especially if employees forget to turn off space heaters when they leave
• Causing tripped circuits and power outages that result in lost data and damaged equipment
• Increasing annual carbon emissions by several tons

Cozy Products low-wattage personal space heaters use as little as 90 watts – that’s 95% more efficient than a typical space heater; about the same as a light bulb.  All Cozy heaters are ETL Listed and safety-certified to meet strict product compliance standards.

How much can a company save in a space heater swap?  Company savings vary based on how large the company is and how many old space heaters would be replaced.   One Fortune 500 Company saw a per-season savings of $17,000 in energy costs AND 140K pounds of greenhouse gases after replacing 450 high-wattage space heaters with Toasty Toes heated footrests.

Another popular Cozy heater for Space Heater Swaps is the Cozy Legs flat-panel heater.  Cozy Legs is unique in that it is safety-rated Zero Clearance, making it especially suitable for use in even the most highly regulated buildings.

Thinking of making the swap?  Estimate your potential company savings with the Cozy Products Heating Cost Calculator.