Tips For Staying Warm At Home During The Polar Vortex
For homeowners in Southwest Virginia, the winters can be brutal. Right now, we are experiencing some VERY cold weather due to the Polar Vortex, bringing temperatures in our area down below ten degrees at times. When you get out of the freezing temperatures or snowy weather, you want to come home to a warm, cozy space. Not only is it important to be comfortable at home, but it’s also crucial to consider energy efficiency.
Complete Comfort has been keeping homes and businesses comfortable for over a decade. From heating and cooling to installing generators for backup power, we want to make sure everyone in our community is taken care of. We operate all over Southwest Virginia in neighborhoods like Bristol, Abingdon, Meadowview, and Marion. We know not every home is the same, and each have their own specific comfort needs.
In this article, we are going to go over some ways you can make your home more comfortable during the polar vortex, and more energy efficient this winter. The last thing you want to do is spend more money than you should on heating your home. Instead of worrying about the heating bills, these steps should help you keep energy costs down, and make your home a more comfortable, environmentally friendly place to live!
If you want to speak to an expert today about your home comfort, give us a call at (276) 690-9222, or contact us online. We’d be happy to help you keep your space warm and cozy during the cold weather.
Tips To Staying Warm And Saving Energy
During a cold spell like a polar vortex, you are going to want to make sure your home is ready for these frigid temperatures. Here are some tips that will help you keep your home comfortable, and also stay energy efficient.
Ensure Your Vents Aren’t Blocked
Make sure all the vents in your home are clear and not blocked by furniture, curtains, or laundry. It’s easy to overlook a vent and maybe move a couch or a desk in front of it when rearranging furniture. If your vents are blocked, it could stop the flow of the air, and prevent the space from staying warm. It can also back up air into your heating system and stop it from working properly.
Turn Your Fans To Clockwise
Turning your fans to clockwise and running them at a low speed will create an updraft, and push warm air that builds up by the ceiling down into the living space. Make sure the fan isn’t running too fast, or it will create too much of a draft and make the space cold.
Seal Any Drafts And Leaks Around The Home
Make sure your home isn’t leaking air by sealing cracks around windows and doors. You can use weatherstripping, caulk, and door draft blockers that won’t cost a lot of money, but could make a big difference when it comes to your home comfort and energy bills. Check around the house and make sure your windows are closed tight, and don’t have any spaces that could be leaking air. Feel under doorways to see if there’s a draft from outside.
It also helps to keep curtains drawn and add another layer of “insulation” that prevents the windows from making your space cooler. Windows, even when sealed and shut, can still be sources of energy loss.
Bonus Tip: If you have old windows, they could be thin and may be a major source of energy loss. If you were thinking of improving your home, upgrading to energy efficient windows and doors could end up saving you in energy costs in the long run.
Check On Insulation
Your insulation is generally in your walls and attic, and it keeps your space protected from the outside elements. Just like sealing windows and doors prevents warm air from leaking out of your home, insulation will keep your home protected from the weather outside.
If a home has poor or failing insulation, it could mean spaces around your home are going to suffer. These spaces are going to get cold easily, and make your heating system work harder. If you think you need some help with your insulation, call a professional to add or improve the insulation in your home.
Wearing Slippers, Robes, And Using Blankets
This is basic, but wearing warm clothes, slippers, and having blankets spread around the house are going to make you more comfortable. It’s going to help you stay warm without having to turn up the heat too much. Not only is this cozy, but it saves you money from running up your heating bill.
Schedule Routine Heating Service
You should have your heating system serviced at least once a year. Whether you have a furnace, a boiler, or a heat pump, routine maintenance is the best thing you can do to get the most out of your system.
During routine maintenance, an HVAC technician will perform a series of tasks that provide your system with a few benefits.
- Improved energy efficiency
- Cleaner indoor air
- Improved heating
- Lower energy bills
- Longer system lifespan
- Fewer breakdowns
- Ensures safe operation
- Maintains warranty
There are lots of different reasons you should have your heating system serviced, but the bottom line is that it’s going to improve your comfort, save money in a few ways, and ensure the system is running safely.
Whether there is a polar vortex or not, having your heating system serviced at least once a year is the best thing you can do for your HVAC unit.
Contact Us About Your Heating
If you are having any trouble with the heating system in your home, call us today at (276) 690-9222, or contact us online. Whether you are in need of a service for your heating system, a repair, or an upgrade, we can help. Our experts have helped families all over Southwest Virginia, and would be happy to help you as well!
The summer is starting to wind down, and we know how quickly the cold weather is going to get here. This is why we want to start telling homeowners about the benefits of furnace service. 
As your furnace creates warm air, it then pumps it into your ductwork and throughout your home. If the furnace is dirty, the air in your home could be dirty as well. Over time, dust, dirt, and other contaminants can accumulate in your heating system, and if the system isn’t properly cleaned, these irritants can get into your air.