When our Florida temperatures finally start to dip, and the weather gets cold — to us anyway — the last thing you want to do is come home with your family to a chilly house. When you’re paying for heat, you want it to work like it should to keep your home warm and cozy for you and your guests. At Comfort Temp, we have decades of experience keeping our community’s homes comfortable. Read on to learn some of our heating tips to get you through the winter.
Follow These Simple Steps
When it comes to keeping your home warm, you also want to save money and energy if possible. In addition to ensuring that your furniture isn’t blocking the vents in the rooms you need heat in, you can also close off vents in rooms where you don’t need heat, so it’s redirected to where you need it most. In addition, the following are some easily actionable tips.
1. Check Your Thermostat Settings
Here in Florida, the ideal winter temperature for your home should be somewhere between 68 and 72 degrees. In general, every degree you decrease your thermostat by under 70 will save you 5% on heating costs. Another tip is to keep your heat on even when you’re away, as it takes more energy for your HVAC to turn off and then turn back on to get your house back to where you want it. Instead, lowering your thermostat while you’re asleep or away from home can save you energy and utility costs.
2. Invest in Thermostat Upgrades
Another way to effectively heat your home is to invest in a programmable or smart thermostat that automatically makes temperature changes based on your preferences and what offers the most energy-efficiently. Smart thermostats are thought to save anywhere from 10-12% in heating costs.
3. Flip Your Fan Switch
Check your ceiling fans for reverse switches that allow you to change the direction that the blades spin, causing them to turn clockwise. The fan then moves the hot air from your ceiling areas down into the room, helping to warm it.
4. Open the Blinds
Keeping the blinds and drapes open on your doors and windows allows the sun to shine through to help warm the rooms of your home. However, they should be closed at night to prevent heat loss through the glass.
5. Keep Fireplace Heat In
Making fires in your wood-burning fireplace can keep you warm, but as the heat goes up through it, it can create cold air in other parts of the house. The solution is to use a glass front when the fireplace is in use and keep the flue closed when it isn’t to ensure the hot air doesn’t escape back up through the chimney.
6. Increase Insulation
Insufficient ceiling insulation can increase your utility costs as your thermostat has to work harder to maintain the warmer temperature. Adding more insulation can reduce your home’s heating loss by 5-25%.
7. Seal Ducts and Plug Leaks
If your ducts are improperly sealed or have leaks, you could be losing 10% of your energy. It’s wise to have your ducts inspected by professional HVAC technicians who can inspect and repair them as needed.
Maintain Your Heating System
The most important thing you can do to keep your home comfortable during the winter is to ensure that your heating system operates properly. Trust a team of HVAC technicians to keep your filters clean and inspect and repair your unit. Further, they can knowledgeably advise you to replace your system if it’s outdated.
Comfort Temp Takes the Chill Out of Your Home
When you need reliable cooling or heating services, Comfort Temp is your experienced partner in keeping your home warm and your utility bill low through the winter months. Contact us to schedule service to stay toasty and cozy and keep the cold outside your home where it belongs.
