Are you feeling the heat of your energy bills after our record cold January? Even if we’re rewarded with a mild February, you’re probably looking for ways to lower that bottom line as we wind down winter. Heating Specialties of Fairton, NJ, is your South Jersey expert when it comes to keeping folks warm. Before you crank up the thermostat, however, check out our easy hacks for staying cozy and saving on heating costs.
Heating hack: Add a door draft stopper
Cold air is always trying to finagle an invite indoors. Make sure any gaps in your doorways are blocked with a draft stopper. You can even make your own by sewing a tube and filling it with stuffing or sand. Or, use a rolled up towel to keep the cold air out.
Heating hack: Let the sunshine in
If we’re lucky to have some sunny February days, put Mother Nature to work warming up your home in colder weather. Open the drapes, and trim back any tree branches or other obstructions. At night, you can close drapes to keep the warmth indoors.
Heating hack: Take a shower
A hot shower can get your blood running and your toes tingling. Forget about modesty and keep the door open while you shower. This will let the shower’s heat fill the adjoining area. Plus, you get a shot of humidity to counter winter’s dry air.
Heating hack: Get rugged
Those hardwood floors look great in your bedroom, but they like to give your bare feet a cold shock when it’s time to get up in the mornings. Add area rugs so you don’t feel the cold. These rugs also add an extra layer of insulation to your home.
Heating hack: Use your ceiling fan
During the summer, you rely on ceiling fans for their cooling effect. But fans can also help you feel warmer during the winter months. What’s the trick? Run them clockwise. This will create an updraft, pushing the hot air that rises to the ceiling back to your level.
Heating hack: Supplement your heat with space heaters or electric blankets
Space heaters are a great way to heat those areas that need an extra boost. Always turn off the heater when you leave the room, and never plug your space heater into an extension cord or power strip. Heating pads and electric blankets are also good strategies for creating an extra layer of warmth in a confined space. Never leave them on all night, however, and replace them if the cord becomes cracked or frayed.
Heating hack: Be smart with your thermostat
If your current thermostat is more than 10 years old, you could be missing out on money-saving technology. Programmable thermostats allow you to control the temperature of your home, setting a schedule that turns the heat up or down depending on what you need. Smart thermostats take it a step further, learning your family’s schedule and adjusting the settings accordingly.
Heating hack: Keep your system running smoothly with regular maintenance
When was the last time Heating Specialties or another professional heating and cooling company performed a tune-up on your system? Regular maintenance is your best defense against higher energy bills, repairs and replacements. South Jersey’s cold winters and scorching summers force your system to work harder keeping your home comfortable, so give it some love with regular tune-ups. Ideally, you should schedule two regular tune-ups each year – an AC tune-up in the spring and a heating system tune-up in the fall. But if it’s been a while, reach out to Heating Specialties now, and we’ll make sure your heating system is clean and efficient.
Heating Specialties wants to help you save money on energy bills without giving in to the cold. If your heating system isn’t working as well as it should, or you want to explore new heating and cooling technologies, give us a call at (866) 923-2653 to schedule an appointment. You can also request an appointment online. Keep your family warm and your wallet happy with Heating Specialties.