Here in San Antonio, we don’t often deal with below freezing temperatures. So, it comes as no surprise that many San Antonians have questions about the best practices for safely enduring these frigid conditions. Home heating safety, of course, starts with a properly serviced heater or furnace. If you forgot your fall tune-up this year and are concerned about your home’s heating system, call Champion AC today. If you’re confident in your HVAC system, check out our other helpful hints for the best home heating practices for freezing temperatures. Have peace of mind and make sure your heater works properly this winter.
1. Use your ceiling fan to circulate warm air.
If you haven’t reversed the rotation on your ceiling fans yet, grab a sturdy chair. In the winter, they should rotate clockwise (in reverse) to redistribute rising warm air. This will keep your rooms comfortable for longer and cut down on the time your heater or furnace has to run to maintain the desired temperature.
2. Make sure unused fireplaces are closed.
If you aren’t actively using your fireplace for warmth, ambiance or s’mores, make sure that the flue is securely closed. Otherwise, your fireplace is essentially a massive hole for your warm air to flow up and out of. This is bad for comfort and a total waste of energy.
3. Cover your windows.
Keeping your windows covered with closed blinds and drawn curtains will help stop heat transfer through the panes of your windows. If you’re reading this while in line at Bed, Bath and Beyond, swing that cart back around and check out the great options for energy-efficient, insulating curtains.
4. Close off unused rooms.
A general rule of thumb is to keep the doors closed to any room of the house not currently in use. This ensures that each room retains the warm air your heater is providing. If a room is completely unused or just used for storage, close its air vents. This will make sure that warm air is distributed elsewhere. (This also helps to lower energy bills in both the winter and summer!)
We hope you remember these helpful tips when you leave the chilly outdoors for the warmth of home. Be safe, make sure that heater is working properly and stay warm!
