Winter is officially here, and with snow and cold comes the challenge of keeping your house warm. Obviously, running your furnace is the easiest way to do that, but that can also be very expensive. So how else can you warm your house during the winter months? Here are eight tips that may work for you.
Use a Programmable Thermostat
If you don’t already have a programmable thermostat, put this at the top of your to-do list so you can schedule your heating to be the most efficient based on your schedule. No need to heat an empty house when you are away, right? When used correctly, it is estimated that programmable thermostats can save a homeowner 10-30% on their heating and cooling bills. Want to take it one step further? Try a smart thermostat, which can not only be programmed but can “learn” your habits and routines and help you schedule your heat accordingly.
Change Your Furnace Filter Regularly
In addition to improving the air quality in your home, changing your air filter in the furnace will also help your furnace work more effectively. A blocked air filter will cause extra strain on your furnace, forcing it to work harder and longer. This is inefficient and costly to you. To avoid this, you should replace your filter every month.
Hang Curtains and Use Them Wisely
A quick, easy way to help regulate the temperature in your home is through the use of curtains. But when it comes to curtains, not all are equal. You’ll want a heavier curtain that can help keep warm air in and cool air out.
When it comes to curtains, it’s not just what type you hang but how you use them. During the daytime, open the curtains up and let the sunlight and its radiant heat in. Once the sun sets, make sure you close your curtains to help keep the heat in. According to Energy.gov research, conventional curtains can reduce heat loss from a warm room up to 10 percent.
Use Throw Rugs
Do you have tile, hardwood, or other hard-surface floors? Using rugs on these surfaces can help keep your toes warm, insulate the room a bit, and potentially prevent any drafts.
Be Careful About Furniture Placement
For your furnace to be most effective, you want a free flow of air in all of your rooms. That means not covering HVAC registers with furniture. If you have furniture covering any registers, move the furniture to allow the air to flow freely and your furnace to heat your rooms better.
Change Your Ceiling Fan’s Direction
Using a ceiling fan in the winter may seem counterintuitive, but it can actually help warm a room. There is a big but with this one … you must have the blades spinning the correct way. Change your fan’s blades to spin clockwise, which will push warm air that has risen to the ceiling down into the room. Another important note: Keep the fan on a low speed – higher speeds will create a cool breeze. How do you change the direction of your fan blades? Most fans have a switch on the base. Simply flip it the other direction to change the fan blades’ direction.
Shrink Wrap Windows
Anyone who’s been near or touched a window in winter knows they can radiate cool air. If you want an extra layer of insulation to keep cold air out, consider covering your windows on the inside with plastic. You can find window film/kits at your local hardware store.
Seal Any Leaks
According to experts, some of the biggest culprits when it comes to heat loss are gaps or cracks. Keep cold air out and hot air in by sealing up any leaks you may have. Start by checking your exterior for any cracks and fixing them as soon as possible. Small cracks can be filled with caulking that is specific to your exterior materials. And repairing them is not only good for your winter heating, but it can also prevent further damage to the home. Unrepaired cracks can expand over time, and if water gets into the crack, it can cause damage to your home.
Once your exterior is done, move onto windows and doors, checking both inside and outside for gaps or air drafts. For windows, re-caulk or add weather stripping to any areas where you find gaps. For doors, check for drafts coming in under the door. If you detect a draft, a door snake is an easy way to combat that, but it can also be inconvenient at times. If you’d prefer a more convenient solution that the door snake, you can purchase door sweeps at your local hardware store.
Looking for your dream home? Liberty Homes has been building new homes in Utah for more than 25 years. We take pride in our trade, crafting each home as if it were our own. Our quality, affordable homes are energy smart and thoughtfully personalized for your active Utah lifestyle. We currently have new single-family homes available in Bluffdale and West Valley and townhomes available in Salt Lake City. Contact us today to get started building your new home.
