5 DIY Ways to Keep Warm Air Inside Your Home this Winter
North Florida has a warmer climate than many places, but still sees freezing nights and chilly mornings throughout much of the winter. To lower your energy bills and give your home comfort system some relief, here are some easy steps to keep the warm air inside your home, and the cold air outside where it belongs.
1. Utilize Your Curtains
When the cold sets in, keep your curtains and blinds open during the day. This allows natural heat to make its way into your home via the sun. As residents of this region know, sunshine is often abundant, even during the winter months, so it can go a long way to keeping your home warm. It’s also important to keep curtains closed at night, as it helps to insulate the area around your windows and keeps cold air from coming in.
2. Seal the Doors
Weather stripping around your doors can deteriorate or become damaged over time, and gaps between your door and threshold can allow chilly air inside. New weather stripping can be purchased for a low price, and the Energy Savings Trust estimates that a new seal can save homeowners more than $30 on their electric bill every year. If there’s a gap under the door, you can temporarily remedy this problem by simply placing a blanket or towel against the bottom of the door until you’re able to install a door sweep.
3. Add Rugs or Carpet
Adding rugs or carpet to a cold surface can keep your home warmer, and provide some much-needed feng shui. Adding fabric to cold surface areas, such as tile or hardwood floors, can help keep heat from escaping through your floor. It’s also a great excuse to do some redecorating.
4. Close Doors and Vents to Unused Rooms
The larger the house, the more it costs to keep it heated. For this reason, it’s beneficial to close doors and shut the vents to rooms that aren’t in use. This could include a laundry room, walk-in closets, guest rooms or spare bedrooms. The fewer rooms you need to fully heat, the more money you will save.
5. Caulk the Windows
Re-caulking your windows can be one of the least expensive, yet most energy efficient ways to keep cold air from getting into your home. With air taking the path of least resistance, tackle the larger gaps first, then make your way the smaller crevasses.
These simple tricks can go a long way in keeping cold air from entering your home, helping you save money on your energy bill in the process. If you’re having serious issues heating or cooling your home, please give Barineau Heating and Air Conditioning a call at (850) 580-4029 in Florida or (229) 495-6599 in south Georgia.
