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It is crucial that you keep your home warm and cozy during the chilly winter months – Are you prepared for the cooler weather to come? To avoid spending all of your money on heating your home this winter, the HVAC repair specialists at Joseph Frederick And Sons are here to share a few simple tips with you to help beat the cold and save money this winter season:
Whenever cold air is allowed to enter from the outside, you’re losing heat. This is a common problem for older houses, where air passes through the space around doors and windows or attic and crawl spaces. To deal with drafts and to keep your rooms warm, first consider their source. Fix drafts by adding weatherstripping to openings or caulking and cracks. If you’re in a pinch, place a towel or blanket beneath your doors and windows.
Think about the layout of your home and furniture placement. Are you blocking vents? Obstructions block air circulation but can also present a safety hazard. The HVAC repair specialists at Joseph Frederick And Sons recommend keeping yourself and your family safe by leaving at least a foot or two of clearance between furniture and heating elements. Never drape clothes or other flammable items on top of an electric heater.
During the day, sunlight pours through windows and heats indoor areas for free. However, most buildings lose heat through windows when the sun goes down. So counter this effect by using curtains or blinds to better insulate key openings. For maximum effect, ensure curtains go down to the window sill or floor.
This is a simple but often overlooked tip. External doors normally trap heat, so when they’re open for extended periods of time, that heat dissipates quickly. Selectively heating rooms can be a great way to save on energy costs, but it only works when that heat stays in a room. Be sure to turn off heaters in rooms that don’t need to be warm, and keep air inside ones that do.
Whether you’re using a gas or traditional wood variation, fireplaces can be a great way to warm up rooms, or even a whole house. Be sure to check for any cold air coming from around your fireplace, and whenever you’re not using the fireplace, keep it closed to prevent cold air from entering the house through the chimney.
If you use ceiling fans in any rooms, check if they have a winter setting. This winter setting causes fans to rotate clockwise, redistributing air through an updraft, causing warmer air to travel back down through a room.
Using the oven can help keep your kitchen and nearby areas warm while giving you an excuse to make your favorite dish. Ovens weren’t built for heating whole homes but can add a small amount of heat while you’re whipping up a batch of cookies.
Using rugs and mats in strategic locations like bedrooms, bathrooms, and kitchens can make a big difference in comfort during winter, adding an extra layer of warmth where you need it. Don’t forget to wear warm socks and slippers, too!
Following these simple tips from the HVAC repair specialists at Joseph Frederick And Sons can help to make your home warmer than ever this winter season. Contact us today to learn more!