Advice for Keeping Warm and Comfortable in Winter

As winter’s chill lingers for yet another month, maintaining a warm home is a crucial priority. Staying cozy within your residence when the temperature plummets outside doesn’t have to be a challenge. With the following effective strategies, you can maintain warmth in winter, making your residence a pleasant retreat from the cold.

Harness the Sun’s Light and Heat

Optimizing natural light is an effective and simple way to stay warm in winter. Kick off your efforts by opening your curtains right when the sun appears. This lets light to stream in, naturally warming the room. Positioning furniture near the windows helps maximize this warmth. In south- or west-facing rooms that get the most sunlight, try laying a dark-colored rug on the floor to absorb heat and slowly release it into the room, even after the sun goes down.

Then, remember to seal your window coverings after dark to insulate the glass against the cool night air. For even better insulation, use thermal curtains or cellular shades designed to avoid heat loss. By leveraging the sun’s energy this way, you can boost home comfort and lower reliance on your heater.

Prevent Heat Loss

Trapping warm air indoors is crucial to staying warm during the colder months. Begin by examining your house for drafts, especially around windows and doors. Apply weather stripping or caulking to any gaps or cracks you locate to help stop heat loss.

An effective strategy is replacing outdated single-pane windows with contemporary double-pane versions, which insulate with a pocket of air between the panes. If this improvement isn’t within your budget, hang heavy, insulating curtains or install insulating window film to counteract drafts.

Next, evaluate the insulation level in your attic. Because heat rises, this is a common location for heat loss to happen. Putting in an extra layer of insulation blocks warm air from leaking out. In addition, check your home’s ductwork, as leaks here can lead to considerable heat loss.

Tune Up Your Furnace

Routine furnace maintenance is essential for efficient functionality and longevity, especially during a challenging cold snap. Fortunately, you can do plenty of things to help your furnace run reliably all winter.

First, replace the air filter frequently. A clean filter enhances airflow and efficiency while decreasing the strain on your furnace. Get into the habit of where you examine the filter monthly and replace it when it seems dirty or every three months, whichever comes first.

It’s also crucial to keep the area near your heating system unobstructed. Clear any clutter to ensure proper air circulation and avoid fire hazards. And when it comes to air circulation, keep all your return and supply vents open and free of debris. It’s tempting to seal vents in rooms not being used, but this throws off the return/supply air balance and may cause your heating system to overheat.

Then, hire a professional to inspect and clean your furnace annually. This professional can deal with any small matters before they become significant problems, reducing the risk of a mid-season breakdown. You can also ask for personalized advice to help your system operate efficiently. In addition, contemplate having your ductwork professionally sealed and insulated. This minimizes heat loss and enhances heating system efficiency.

Welcome Smart Thermostat Technology

If you still have an old manual thermostat, contemplate upgrading to a programmable or smart thermostat for better temperature control and energy savings. A programmable thermostat enables you to plan your desired temperature at different times of the day and days of the week according to your schedule and comfort preferences.

A smart thermostat goes beyond this by enabling you to monitor and control the temperature remotely using a smartphone app. Many models can even be modified with your preferred home automation voice assistant, such as Amazon Alexa or Google Home. Learning thermostats handle the tasks, determining your schedule, tracking when you’re home or away and changing the heat accordingly. This provides a warm, comfortable home with the lowest utility bills possible.

Another benefit of smart thermostats is their ability to furnish detailed energy usage reports. These insights aid you in understanding your heating routines and recognize opportunities to save. Automatic filter change notifications are also useful for reminding you about this crucial maintenance task.

Be Warm and Cozy in the U.S. with Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing

The team at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing is here to help you enjoy a cozy and inviting home during the cold months in the U.S.. Our ACE-certified technicians offer swift, long-lasting fixes, from preventive maintenance and emergency repairs to thorough HVAC installations and replacements. Thanks to our 100% satisfaction guarantee, you can rest assured that Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing won’t consider the job complete until you’re thrilled with the results.

For proficient service that lives up to our name, call 866-397-3787 today!