Cooler temperatures are here, which means it’ll be winter before you know it. Learn how to heat your home efficiently and safely with these tips!
What’s the safest way to heat a house?
The safest way to heat your home is to use a central heating system powered by electricity. Electrical heating systems are some of the most precise and safe heating systems you can use because of their power source. Gas-powered appliances have the potential to leak toxic carbon monoxide, which can be fatal over time.
Heating Efficiency Tips
Heating your home efficiently helps to keep your family comfortable and your heating bills low. Follow these tips to save on your home comfort this winter:
Change Your Air Filter
A dirty or blocked air filter prevents air from moving through the system smoothly, forcing your system to work hard to heat your home to the set temperature. Changing your air filter every 30 to 90 days is the most cost-effective way to heat your home and care for your heating system.
Schedule Annual Maintenance
Your system should be maintained by a professional before every season—typically in the spring and fall. Annual maintenance helps to improve the quality of your indoor air, increases the lifespan of your system, and saves money by catching small issues before they require costly repairs.
Hazardous Heating Habits
There are many ways to heat your home safely and efficiently, but some heating methods are more dangerous than others. From 2012 to 2016, the NFPA reported that local fire departments responded to over 52,000 home fires caused by heating systems. According to the American Red Cross, heating equipment is a leading cause of home fires in the United States.
Is it safe to heat my home with the oven?
Ovens are an inefficient and potentially dangerous solution to heating your home. Ovens aren’t designed for space heating purposes and won’t move the heat around your house very well. A gas-powered oven can go out or even create a potentially life-threatening situation in the event of a fire or carbon monoxide poisoning from a gas line leak.
Are electric blankets safe?
Electric blankets are safe to use as intended and as manufactured. Any issues homeowners may run into with electric blankets typically stem from misuse, such as leaving the blanket on at night, winding the cords too tightly during storage, and using the blanket after damage has occurred. The filaments inside a blanket can spark and catch fire, so it’s essential to take care of your electric blanket and always turn it off before falling asleep or leaving the room.
Alternative Heating Methods
There are many ways to heat your home during the coldest months of the year without using your central heating system. Try these tricks to stay comfortable all season without a spike in your energy bills!
Hang insulated curtains. Insulated curtains can help seal off drafty windows where warmed air could be escaping.
Invest in a rug. Rugs create a similar kind of insulation as curtains do for your windows—bonus, they can add soundproofing for a home with hardwood floors!
Use the fireplace. Fires can be a cozy addition to your home—just make sure you’re following all proper fireplace maintenance and safety procedures before, during, and after use!
Open the blinds. Letting in the sunlight is a simple and easy way to heat your home naturally during the day! Just make sure to close your blinds again to keep the cool air from chilling your home at night.
Kern Heating & Cooling Co. wants to help you keep your home safe and cozy all winter long! Contact our team online or by phone at (847) 383-0350 today to schedule your furnace or heater repairs and installations!