Keeping Your Home Warm When It Is Extremely Cold Outside

Taking steps to improve the performance of your heating system can make your home a more enjoyable place to be during the winter. While the benefits of taking these steps can be extremely noticeable, it is common for individuals to overlook many of them that they can do to achieve these performance gains.

Avoid Using Space Heaters Near The Thermostat

During times when the temperature is particularly cold, it is common for individuals to utilize space heaters to supplement the warmth from their primary heating unit. When positioning these space heaters, you should take care to place them away from the area where the thermostat is located. Making this mistake could mean the area where the thermostat is located is significantly warmer than the rest of the house, which could lead to the heating system prematurely turning off.

Actively Look For Drafts

During periods of extreme cold, any major drafts could contribute to a sizable decrease in the temperature in your home. Taking steps to actively look for sources of drafts is an effective way of mitigating the impacts these issues can have on your home's heating performance. For example, it is common for drafts to form around doors and windows due to failing weatherstripping. Replacing the weatherstripping in these parts of the home is an affordable and easy option that a homeowner can do to substantially improve their comfort levels. In addition to using your hand to feel for drafts, you can also use a lit candle and observe the flame to find more subtle drafts that you may have otherwise missed.

Keep The Heating Unit In Optimal Condition

Effective maintenance of the heating system is another important step for keeping it working efficiently. Unfortunately, heating unit maintenance needs are often overlooked by homeowners, and this can lead to the system gradually suffering significant performance decreases. In addition to arranging for a professional heating contractor to service the unit, there are steps that you will need to take to keep it working effectively. For example, gas or oil-burning heaters will need to be thoroughly cleaned to remove residues that could be left behind. Any air filters for the heater should also be changed at regular intervals so that the unit will have the airflow that it needs. While these steps are essential, they are not difficult, and you should find that they may only take a few moments of your time once you become familiar with your system's components.

Contact a local heating service to learn more.


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