Utah’s already dipped down into puffer jacket weather and snow coats the mountain tops. You’re probably shivering in the mornings, turning up your thermostat, and wondering what you can do to keep your house warmer in the winter without making your energy bills skyrocket. You’re in the right place.
There are plenty of things that you can do to keep your house warmer in the winter that don’t involve putting your heating system into overdrive and making your bank account cry. Here are a handful of ways you can do just that.
#1. Check For Drafts
Drafts are one of the biggest ways energy escapes your home and cold air infiltrates it. You want to keep the cold air outside, where it belongs, and to keep the heated air you’re paying for inside, where it belongs. However, if you have drafty windows, then your house won’t be as warm as it should be.
An easy way to check for drafts is to light a candle and move it around the edges of your windows slowly. If the flame starts flickering, you’ve found a drafty area. If you have drafts, you can use draft stoppers, replace the weather-stripping, caulk gaps, and more. If your windows are old or damaged, window replacement may be the best way to resolve the issue.
#2. Keep Your HVAC Unit In Good Condition
Routine maintenance and service are key to ensuring that your HVAC unit performs as needed. The last thing you want is your HVAC system working double time trying to heat up your home, because that can get expensive, fast. Sure, you can wear sweaters and jackets inside, but your home is meant to be your safe haven, so you want it to be cozy and warm.
By having your HVAC unit serviced and maintained as needed, you can keep it running at its peak, which also helps keep those energy bills down – and ergo, helps you keep your house warmer in the winter.
#3. Add Rugs
While rugs may not suit everyone’s aesthetic, they’re a great way to help to warm up a room. This is because they insulate the floor, trapping air, preventing it from escaping down through the floor. The soft fibers of rugs also feel warmer against your feet than a hard floor would. The bigger and thicker the rug, the more it can help with heat loss reduction.
#4. Use Insulation
Insulating your home is one of the most effective ways to keep your house warmer in the winter. This is because insulation retains heat and prevents cold air from coming in. You’ll want to consider how long the insulation will last, how effective it is, and how well it will help with keeping moisture out, as well. While an investment upfront, insulation can significantly reduce your energy bills over time.
#5. Adjust Your Ceiling Fans
Your fans can do more than cool a room off. You can adjust them to help circulate warm air around a room. In order to do this, you’ll need to locate the switch that controls the direction the blades spin. In order to cool a room, the blades will go in a counterclockwise direction, as that facilitates a windchill effect. In order to do the opposite and have your fans help to heat your space, you’ll want them going in a clockwise direction.
The reason why this works is because when the blades go clockwise, they push air up, which helps to better distribute heat. The force of the air pushes the air at the top of the room towards the outer edges and back to the ground. Since heat rises, this helps to move heated air around the room, making it warmer and warmer.
Do You Need Window Repair, Replacement, Or Installation?
Creekside Windows & Glass provides the expert window and glass services you need in order to keep your home secure. As a local, family-owned business, we’re familiar with all the unique challenges homeowners face throughout Northern Utah. We use top-quality windows and glass and pull on our extensive experience in order to ensure that our clients receive the top-notch services they deserve.
Contact us today to learn more about our window and glass services and what we can do for you.
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