There are several things most of us to do each winter to prep for the cold. We dust off our coats, maybe buy a new snow shovel, or even switch to car tires that are equipped for the weather. These are all important, yes, but how often do we think about what we're checking inside the home?
Here are nine mistakes you might be making around the house each winter and, of course, how to fix them.
1. Drafts Are Coming in Through Your Doors
Even if your thermostat is set to the desired temperature, your home might not get as cozy as you want it to be. Drafts, or air leaks, through the door(s) in your home will allow the cold winter air to enter your home, not only making your living area uncomfortable but also driving up your energy bills.
To prevent drafts from entering your house and warm air from escaping, you'll want to air-seal your home by caulking and weather stripping. You can also insulate the air ducts and fix any small leaks in the walls or ceilings.
2. Heat is Escaping Through Your Windows
Windows are another leading source of heat loss in your home, meaning they may be reducing your comfort and increasing your energy bills. According to the Department of Energy, "heat gain and heat loss through windows are responsible for 25%–30% of residential heating and cooling energy use." In other words, a significant part of your heating usage could be due to leaky windows.
One way to prevent heat loss is by caulking between the window frame and siding. Applying insulation film is another easy way to cover the entire window and prevent drafts. Weather stripping is a third inexpensive way to close small gaps and seal windows.
3. You Don't Have the Right Curtains
Besides using insulation film or sealing your windows, you may want to try out thermal curtains. Thermal curtains keep the heat built up in the house in by creating a seal between the fabric and the window pane. They are made with a layer of acrylic foam between the double or triple layers of fabric to provide extra insulation. You probably use curtains in your home anyway, so why not get ones that can also save you money?4. You Aren't Adding Moisture to the Winter Air
Low humidity in your home can lead to dry, cracked skin, chapped lips, bloody noses, dry sinuses, worsened asthma symptoms, snoring, and other issues. The solution? A whole-home humidifier.
While portable humidifiers are helpful for small spaces, humidifiers can be installed in your HVAC system to provide even circulation and the resulting benefits throughout your entire home. Aprilaire is the leader in quality humidifiers and other indoor air quality systems, and could be the perfect solution for your home. Humidifiers don't require much maintenance and will keep you and your family happy and healthy.
5. You Aren't Taking Safety Precautions With Your Gas Heater
Gas heat is a clean and wonderful way to heat your home in the winter. However, many homeowners don't realize the potential dangers of gas heat. The ignition of natural gas and gas leaks can cause deadly fires and Carbon Monoxide poisoning. Some tips to keep safe are to install a CO detector, know how to shut off the gas supply in the event of an emergency, and to keep up with yearly heater tune-ups.
6. You Aren't Scheduling Annual Heater Maintenance
Speaking of tune-ups, you should make sure to schedule maintenance every fall or winter for any type of heater. Annual tune-ups are beneficial in many ways. For one, your local HVAC professional will make sure there are no safety issues within your heating system and will prevent your heater from breaking down in the middle of winter. The tune-up will also ensure your system is running efficiently so that you can stay comfortable and save money.
7. You're Leaving the Thermostat On
Leaving the thermostat on when you don't need to is a silly but easy mistake to make. If this is something you've experienced, you may want to opt for a programmable or smart thermostat for your home. These systems can adjust based on sets schedules, use "away" mode, detect room occupancy, and monitor your energy usage, amongst other features; thereby reducing unnecessary energy usage and lowering your heating bills. 8. You Don't Have Backup Power
Losing heat in the winter is bad enough. Losing power to every part of your home is even worse. That's why installing a permanent standby generator for your home is amazing way to stay safe and comfortable. Generators are useful for power outages in any season, but losing heat in the dead of winter can definitely be more dangerous than losing air conditioning in the summer. Backup generators can power specific things on your entire home and are sized based off many factors. If you don't want to risk losing heat, light, water, or other functions in the winter, schedule an estimate with your local contractor.
9. You're Heating Unused Rooms
Are there rooms or spots in your home that just won't get warm? Are you cranking up the thermostat for the entire house just to heat certain areas? Ductless heating and cooling might be perfect for your home.
Wasting energy just to heat problem areas is an all too common mistake. If space heaters just don't do it for you and you're interested in upgrading your HVAC system, ductless mini-splits are a great investment. They can heat your entire home like any HVAC system; but the best part is that they can be placed in specific areas and controlled separately.
If you live in the Delaware Valley/Greater Philadelphia area and would like to find comfort within your home, visit our website or give us a call at 215 - 245 - 3200 to learn more.
