How to Stay Warm During Winter And Not Turn Up The Heat

Last summer was way too hot and some fear that it was an indication for what we could be in for this coming winter. They say that it is all caused by the changing climate and we can expect colder winters in the coming days. There are fears that we are about to face a record breaking winter season when it comes to the temperature.

Is there any basis for the fears? We could never really say, but it is important for us to be ready for it just in case. We need to make sure that we can stay warm this coming winter no matter what.

Our efforts, however, would be hampered by the fact that we need to spend wisely these days due to the financial crisis. We have to make, not just every dollar, but every cent count. So to help you in that aim, here are some tips on how you can stay warm during winter without having to spend a lot of money:

1. A space heater is an excellent means of heating up a small area within your house. You could turn down the thermostat and then use a space heater instead. That would effectively lower down your energy consumption for heating.

Using this method of heating would be effective if you are alone in your house or if you only use particular areas. You can just leave the other rooms unheated.

2. A simple and easy way of staying warm inside your house is wearing warm clothes or layering for warmer effect. By being fully attired to deal with the cold you need not worry about what the weather can bring to you.

3. A wood burning fireplace is considered by experts as one of the least efficient methods of staying warm, so if you are someone who cares about efficiency and energy consumption, then you would stay away from one. You ought to use a gas burning fireplace instead.

4. A great portion of the expenses used up by households on energy expenses each year goes to heating. That's why you should seek all of the help that you can get in order to cut down on those costs. One effective method is getting a programmable thermostat that can be set correctly for the right temperature of the room.

5. Try using candles to warm up a room. You can place scented and decorative candles to light up your room. They can only generate enough heat to raise the temperature by a little bit, but they would be good to look at.

6. You should open up windows and blinds during the daytime to allow sunlight to stream in. The sunlight can contribute in heating up the inside of your place at no additional cost to you. You can just close them during the night so that your place is not exposed to the outside.

These are some simple and easy steps that you can follow for heating up your place at no additional cost to you.

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Time to Have Your Furnace Maintained for Winter

Transitioning from fall into winter brings about dramatic changes in the temperature. Now is the time to have your heating system serviced for the cold months ahead. Annual furnace maintenance is important for several primary reasons including safety, efficiency, and reliability.

Safety: Because your furnace is fueled by gas, oil, or electricity, the potential exists for producing harmful amounts of carbon monoxide and other toxic gases. Proper ventilation is key to making sure any gases produced that may endanger you, your family, or your coworkers, are kept at a minimum. A thorough annual inspection will assess your ventilation system including heating operations, checking for leaks, air duct efficiency, and filter effectiveness. Efficiency: A properly functioning heating system, along with programming your thermostat for smart temperature control, will run more efficiently and save you money each month. Like everything else, furnaces collect dust and dirt that impedes their ability to fun smoothly. An annual heating inspection will include cleaning your furnace, adding any needed lubricants to reduce friction, sealing any leaks, and checking all belts to make sure they are working optimally. Reliability: Too often, folks either put off or simply forget to have their furnace maintained and inspected for the winter. A furnace malfunctioning mid-winter is no fun. Best-case scenario, you spend a few cold hours but if parts have to be ordered or the entire system replaced, you may end up paying for a hotel room, often more costly than an upfront furnace inspection to protect against just such a heating failure.

Many home warranties also require an annual service inspection. Trained to maximize safety, furnace efficiency, and make sure it is in good working order, a heating and air conditioning professional is easy to find online. There are also a few things you can do to prepare for winter as well.

Change furnace filters regularly. When you have your furnace inspection, it is a good time to make sure you are using the best size and type of filter for your heating unit. Depending on your climate, your heating system, and the type of filter you are using, most filters need replacement from monthly to every three months. Some furnaces have reusable filters that you simply need to clean regularly. Make sure you have stock up on filters so you do not run out for the winter.

Be sure not to store items near the furnace. This is particularly true of anything flammable. Similarly, make sure you there is nothing stacked on your air ducts and that your vents and return vents are not blocked.

If you have an oil or propane fueled furnace, have your tanks filled so your fuel lasts the winter. And for hot-water radiators, the valves must be bled by opening the them slightly and then closing them again when water starts to appear.

Finally, if you have not done do already, buy and install carbon monoxide and radon detectors, which are available at your local hardware store or big-box store.

Just like you maintain your car, good maintenance of your heating system will keep it running smoothly and extend the life of your furnace. Your local heating and cooling professional will help give you the peace of mind of know you can depend on your system through the freezing winter months ahead.

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