5 Tips Before You Turn On the Heat
The leaves have almost completely fallen from the trees. I can hear the geese migrating south for the season. The chill in the air requires wearing a jacket to work. So I know what’s just around the corner… winter, and TURNING ON THE HEAT! That means my house is going to get very dry very fast, not to mention a rise in my heating bills. Luckily there are steps we can take to make this heating season a little more comfortable.
Get a humidifier.
Since both the cold outside and the heat inside will suck the moisture out of the air, using a humidifier is the easiest way to get moisture back into the air.
Dry your wet laundry inside.
Another great way to increase humidity is to air-dry laundry indoors. Not only will you save on costs to run your dryer, but this will also put moisture back into the air. It’s a win-win!
Purchase a hygrometer.
This handy little devise will let you know how humid your home is and then you can adjust accordingly. Too humid and this could promote moisture build-up and mold growth. Too little moisture and everything dries out, making it uncomfortable and even causing wooden items to crack. Just like Goldilocks, you want the humidity to be “just right."
Reverse ceiling fans.
Since warm air rises, it will save on heating costs by pushing the warm air back down to where it’s needed – around you and your family.
Seal any cracks or air-leaks.
The quickest way to lose heat (and money) is to simply let it slip out of the house. An easy remedy is to seal any cracks in the walls or around windows, and place rolled up towels or blankets at the bottom of drafty doors.
Don’t get me wrong, there are many things to love about the seasons changing from warm to cool to cold. Snowball fights with my kids (and letting them win). Making hot chocolate with those little marshmallows (for the kids… mostly). Building a crackling fire in the fireplace. By taking these 5 steps before I turn the heat on, it gives me more time to do the fun things this winter.
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