Spring may be just around the corner, but that doesn’t mean the surprise freezes are gone for good. Keep these tips in mind the next time our area is hit with a severe cold front.
Keeping Your Home Warm in an Emergency
Losing heat can seem like the end of the world if it’s a situation you aren’t familiar with. However, there are many ways to keep your home comfortable and your family safe during this uncertain time.
Keep your home warm without your HVAC system with these tips:
- Use the fireplace. Making use of your fireplace is a simple and straightforward way to heat at least one space in your home. If you do opt to make a fire, keep an eye on the flames and move any flammable items a minimum of three feet away from the fireplace. (Do not attempt to use a gas stove or oven as a heat source. Natural gas can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning when used incorrectly.
- Hang insulated curtains. Keep the warmth inside your home and block out the cold by hanging curtains made from a thick material in front of all windows. Even closed glass can allow cold air inside. You can also use blankets or comforters in lieu of curtains in an emergency.
- Create a candle heater. Candle heaters are a simply DIY way to create heat in your home during a winter storm or other severe cold spell. Simply flip some clay or terra cotta pots upside down on a nonflammable surface. Light tea lights and place the candles underneath the pots. The flame will heat up the pots, and they’ll radiate heat as they warm up. This method of heating does involve an open flame, so be cautious with pets and children and never leave your candle heater unattended.
- Don’t forget blankets & layers. Layering up may be so obvious that it escapes thought at first. Grab your favorite cozy sweaters, fuzzy socks, and sweats to keep as much warmth in and around your body as possible. If things get especially cold, put on hats, gloves, and scarves to add even more protection. You can even put on slippers or insulated boots to keep your feet and toes warm.
- Invest in a rug. Rugs keep your floors warm and insulted, adding more heat to your home than typically exists. If you have hardwood floors, keeping a few rugs around (even if only for emergencies) could be a life-saving idea.
- Open the blinds. This step is very specific to daylight hours: Sunlight adds warmth and heat, so if your home is facing a power outage during the day, opening your blinds can actually heat your home naturally. Just remember to close the blinds and cover windows back up with curtains or blankets when the sun goes down to keep all that warmth indoors.
Thankfully, keeping your home comfortable isn’t always a dire situation. Keep reading to learn general tips for a cozy home during cold weather.
General Home Heating Tips
If your home’s heating system is working properly, there may be no cause for concern about how your home feels or the energy you’re using. But there are always ways to keep your system as cost and energy-efficient as possible.
Change the Air Filter
Changing the air filter in your home is the most cost-effective way to keep your heating bills low. Your air filter catches particles such as dust, dirt, dander, and more while your air circulates throughout your home. During cold weather, when we’re all closed up in our homes, our filters have to work a lot harder to filter out particles.
Check your air filter at least once every three months and change the filters when it looks grey, dusty, or clogged to keep your system operating smoothly.
Schedule Regular HVAC System Maintenance
Don’t forget to schedule regular pre-season tune-ups for your heating and cooling system. Your HVAC system should be examined a minimum of twice per year — once in the fall and once in the spring — to ensure the system is ready to meet the demands of the coming season.
Whether you need HVAC system repairs, are ready to upgrade to a new, more energy-efficient system, or simply want to schedule your system maintenance, Tingley Home Services is the team to call! Reach out to us online or by phone at (508) 456-8838 to schedule your appointment today.
