It’s coming. You can feel it in the tension of your joints and bones. You can smell it in the Pumpkin Spice Lattes and gingerbread cookies. You can see it in the headlights of passing cars when you know it’s only 6:00 p.m. and the sun should be out but instead the evening is already blanketed in darkness. That’s right. Winter is coming.
In many areas it’s already here. Snow has already fallen and temperatures are already calling for hats, scarves, and gloves. If your home is not prepared, it’s not too late. Winterize your home with these suggestions from Bryant Heating & Cooling Service Experts.
1. Ensure comfort and safety this winter.
In a recent survey Bryant Heating & Cooling Service Experts discovered that 66.5% of people didn’t know if they would recognize the indicators of carbon monoxide poisoning. This is a huge worry, especially now since the highest carbon monoxide exposures happen during the winter months when people are turning on their heating systems and using their fireplaces.
Another big issue is the initial symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are close to the flu, but without a fever. some of the symptoms are listed below:
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea
- Dizziness
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) suggests having your heating system professionally inspected and serviced annually to make sure the system is operating correctly to keep you and your family healthy.
2. Talk to an expert about humidifiers.
Humidifiers don’t just help to keep you and your family healthy, they may help you save money on energy and keep your home décor from becoming lost. A few reasons to invest in a humidifier are:
- Humidifiers help moisturize your nasal passages, serving to alleviate congestion and sinusitis and keeping frustrating nose bleeds and respiratory infections far off.
- Sleeping with a humidifier can help improve itchy, dry skin and help clear up severe skin irritations, such as eczema and psoriasis.
- The absence of moisture in the air helps with things other than just your skin. If wooden furniture or floors get too dried out, they may start to split, and paint and wallpaper may crack or peel. Adding a humidifier to your home could help to keep assist in keeping sufficient moisture in your hardwood floors, wallpaper, and paint and keep your home looking newer longer.
- While dry air could possibly make you feel cooler at warmer temperatures, adding a humidifier puts moisture into the home and helps you feel warmer at lower temperatures, which helps save money on your energy expenses.
3. Use your oven. Bake some bread.
When you start to get cabin fever this winter, bust out the apron and start baking! Baking can be therapeutic and it makes your house smell yummy. Try this homemade bread recipe or add a challenge with banana bread and cinnamon bread. Baking is a great way to add some fragrance to your house and give you delectable treats, but make sure not to use an open oven to heat your home. Ovens are only designed to heat its enclosed baking space, and could be a serious safety and fire risk when left open and turned on.
4. Check your attic insulation level.
An easy way to stay warm and assist with energy savings is to make sure your attic is well-insulated. According to the Department of Energy, a sufficiently insulated attic can save you anywhere from 10% to 50% off your heating expenses. If your attic insulation isn’t sufficient, you can lose heat through the attic which causes your heating system to strain to keep your home at a cozy temperature. The correct insulation can avoid this altogether, saving you money on your energy bills. And who couldn’t benefit from saving some money right after the holidays?
5. Seal entry points around your roof.
Winter brings on a lot of annoyances – bad driving conditions, freezing temperatures, less sunlight – but the nastiest has to be pests. Sealing entry points around your roof can keep nosey critters from finding comfort in your home. Keep out bugs, rodents, and wildlife entering your comfy space and nestle up by the fire in peace.
Want more tips on how to beat winter? Set up an appointment with us online or give us a call at 226-773-3357.