10 Effective Ways to Keep Your Home Warmer for Longer | Kitchener ON

Staying warm is a priority in your home as long as the temps are still low enough to put a noticeable chill in the air. Even if you have a furnace, boiler, heat pump, or other heating sources you rely on to stay nice and comfy, you might be losing heat and warmth in ways you may not realize. Below, we spotlight ten effective ways to keep your home warmer for longer.

1. Keep Clutter Away from Radiators or Registers

Ensure that the radiators or registers that deliver heat to your inside spaces are free of clutter. Things like furniture and long curtains can block airflow and make your HVAC system work harder or contribute to cold spots in your home. With radiators, there are specially designed covers you can use. This way, you won’t be tempted to keep them out of sight with furniture.

2. Place Foil Behind Your Radiators

Speaking of radiators, another way to add more warmth to rooms is to place some foil behind these pipes. Putting aluminum foil behind radiators attached to external walls reflects heat back into the room to keep things nice and toasty.

3. Add Some Carpeting (or Rugs) to Your Home

Carpets and rugs naturally help retain heat in various rooms. We’re not saying give up your beautiful hardwood floors. What you can do, however, is consider throw rugs or carpeting for certain rooms where extra warmth is often appreciated.

4. Check, Clean, and Change Your Furnace Filter

Get into the habit of regularly checking your furnace filter. Do this at least once a month when you’re regularly using your furnace. If you have a reusable filter, clean it per the manufacturer’s guidelines. With disposable filters, replace them every 2-3 months. Clogged or dirty filters make your furnace work harder to heat your home.

5. Use a Fireplace Plug

Approximately 20 percent of your room’s heat is lost when air flows through a loose fireplace damper. If this is an issue with your fireplace, consider using a fireplace plug. Choose one correctly sized for your flue. On a related note, regularly having your fireplace and chimney inspected can help keep your home warm by identifying any cracks or flaws.

6. Let Some Sun In

Now, in the summertime, too much sun can make your air conditioner work harder. However, opening curtains and blinds on sunny days can be a good thing during the colder months of the year. It’s a quick and easy way to add some warmth to your home, especially on frigid days.

7. But Close Your Curtains/Blinds When the Sun Goes Down

Close your curtains or blinds once the sun is down for the day. Doing so keeps heat in so it’s not lost through your windows. You’ll also be keeping colder air out since the curtains or blinds act as insulators.

8. Consider Duct-Booster Fans

These are specially designed devices that increase airflow through your ducts so your home will be warmer – or cooler in the summer. Duct-boosters are placed inside standard ducts. A pressure switch is either installed or included with the booster. The blower is then placed near the duct’s outlet end. The booster’s fan kicks in when it senses forced air. Some boosters are hard-wired, and others just plug into any nearby outlet.

9. Reverse Your Ceiling Fans

Ceilings fans aren’t just for warmer days in the spring, summer, and fall. Most ceiling fans have a switch you can flip to reverse the direction of the blades. What this does is push warmer air down into your living areas and away from the ceiling, where it’s not doing any good.

10. Seal Up Draft Sources

Look for pockets of cold air or draft spots in your home. If you find any, there are some temporary fixes that can work. For instance, with drafty windows, you can use plastic wrap or specially designed plastic film. On really cold days, stuff a towel or small blanket into doggy doors and mail slots to minimize heat loss and boost warmth.

Call Us Today

Having a reliable HVAC system is another way to keep your home warmer for longer. This is something TDI Air Conditioning can help you out with. If it’s time to consider upgrading what you have, give us a call. We’ll discuss your options and offer recommendations that work well for your budget and comfort preferences.

Contact us today for prompt, top-quality services, products, and solutions.

References:

https://www.familyhandyman.com/list/unexpected-ways-to-keep-your-house-w…