10 Ways to Stay Warm this Holiday Season

As the holiday season approaches and temperatures drop, it can be tough to warm up without running the heater non-stop. Luckily, there are some other methods of heating up your home, so you don’t have to adjust the thermostat. Here are 10 tips homeowners can use to stay warm this winter to avoid running up their energy bill.

1.      Dress in Layers

Before opting to turn up the heat, be sure to bundle up in warm winter clothing. Dressing in layers indoors can help in the winter months so you can adapt your temperature throughout the day without having to adjust the thermostat. Wearing extra pieces such as thick socks or a beanie, and keeping extra blankets around the house, can keep your body temperature warm without turning up the heat. This can help prevent strain on your heater and keep electricity bills down through the season.

2.      Zone Heating

If you have a zoned HVAC system, it’s the perfect time of year for zone heating. Zone heating is the method of only heating up the specific rooms in your home that you are using at that time. For example, if your family will be gathered in the living room, only increase the heat on that side of the house or start the fireplace to warm up the room. When you go to bed for the night, be sure to adjust your thermostat accordingly so you are specifically warming the bedrooms rather than the central living area. By zone heating, you can prevent unnecessarily heating areas of your home and keep the warm air flow where it is needed most at that time.

3.      Use the oven or stove to cook

The winter months are the perfect time to cook up hearty recipes. You can explore new recipes for soups, casseroles, desserts, and more, which will warm you up from the inside out. Baking these hot meals can also help heat up your home without having to adjust your thermostat. Natural heat is being added into the house when the stove or oven are in use, so you can plan accordingly for when you will be cooking and keep your thermostat lower at those times.

4.      Don’t block heating vents

When putting up holiday decorations, be aware of where your air vents are located to ensure they are not blocked. When you close off air vents with furniture and other items, you make your HVAC system work harder, which can decrease the lifespan of the equipment. Heating and cooling systems are set to accommodate the specific space, so when the air flow is blocked, you will not get even temperatures or air flow throughout your home. It is also a fire hazard to have items in front of a vent blowing warm air. Be cautious when setting up décor to make sure you are not blocking your vents.

5.      Do something active

You can warm up this winter by keeping your body moving around the house. By increasing your blood flow with physical activity, your body temperature will rise. Getting physical doesn’t have to mean a high energy workout and can involve any activity where you are not stagnant. Whether you do an at-home workout, tidy up your home, bake a recipe, or take on a project, you can get creative with how you stay active indoors.

6.      Add rugs

Try warming up your space by adding area rugs on top of tile, wood, or laminate floors, during the winter months. According to the National Energy Foundation, you can lose up to 10% of heat through uninsulated floors.  Adding rugs to your space can add insulation so it will not only keep your feet warm, but also keep the hot air flowing through your home.

7.      Reverse the direction of your ceiling fan

In the winter months, you can reverse the direction of your ceiling fan to create warm air flow. Ceiling fans traditionally run counterclockwise, which blows cool air around the room. In the winter, reversing the motor on your fan to run clockwise will produce an updraft which forces warm air from the ceiling into the rest of the space. Remember to adjust your thermostat accordingly if you have a fan running to prevent additional strain on your system.

8.      Programmable Thermostat

Installing a programmable thermostat can prevent your HVAC system from having to work overtime in the cold winter months. This thermostat allows you to pre-set the temperatures at which you want your home heating system to turn on and off, based on the current temperature in your home. You can save energy and prevent wear and tear on your HVAC system by preventing your system from running constantly all day.

Want more information on programmable thermostats or need help with installing one in your home? Chas Roberts is here to help. Contact us today!

9.      Winterize your Home

Take the extra time during the holidays to winterize your home and make some small adjustments that will have a big impact. First, be sure to open the window blinds. In these Arizona winters, we still see plenty of sunlight throughout the day. This natural sunlight can come in through your windows and heat up your space when the blinds are open. Next, make sure your windows and doors are fully sealed to prevent cold air from seeping in. When the temperature drops at night, it is important to double check that all these openings are closed off, so your heating system is not working harder than it has to. Finally, sealing any cracks and closing off unused rooms before the winter months can help keep the warm air in the spaces it is most needed. Take the time to winterize your home with these small changes as the temperatures drop.

10. Routine Maintenance

It is important to make sure your HVAC system is working properly before the cold winter months. Getting routine maintenance can ensure any issues or concerns on your system are addressed. Chas Roberts offers a comprehensive 26-point maintenance plan that thoroughly inspects your heater from top to bottom, catching even the smallest problems.  Keep your holidays warm and cozy and schedule routine maintenance today!