Add a Layer of Efficiency This Winter

Winter in North Alabama is fickle –– bone-chilling mornings can give way to warm, sunny afternoons that quickly fade to freezing evenings. Dressing in layers is a familiar routine. If only our homes could bundle up or shed a coat with the temperature changes.

Helping your home stay consistently comfortable, especially in the extremes of winter, comes down to a few steps that keep the inside temperature steady without breaking the bank with higher electric bills.

• Start by checking for drafts around windows and doors that let the outdoor cold enter and the indoor warmth escape. Replacing worn or ill-fitting seals and caulking is an inexpensive fix to make your home more comfortable and energy-efficient.
• Keeping curtains and blinds open on well-insulated, sunny-side windows will help warm your home during daylight hours. Closing them at night keeps the cold at bay.
• If you have central heating, be sure to keep your system well-maintained. Change air filters regularly and bring in an expert for a checkup and service at least once a year.
• Setting your thermostat to 68 degrees in winter is recommended for keeping energy costs down. Turning it down even lower when you’re away from home adds to the savings. A programmable thermostat can be a big help, as well, since it can automatically raise or lower temperatures based on your schedule.
• If the heated room you’re in has a ceiling fan, run it on low using its clockwise setting to move around warm air, which can rise high above your comfort zone if you have a vaulted ceiling. The counterclockwise rotation creates a downdraft, which helps you feel cooler during warm months. Ceiling fans generally use about the same power as a 100-watt lightbulb, but turn them off when you leave the room.
• The water heater is a potential energy hog we tend to forget. Keeping it set between 120 and 125 degrees and making sure the tank is properly insulated maximizes its efficiency.

Space Heater Safety

Homeowners often turn to electric space heaters as a convenient way to provide localized heat. These devices consume a significant amount of electricity, however, and they pose potential risks. Heating equipment caused an annual average of 41,000 home fires and 470 deaths between 2018 and 2022, according to the National Fire Protection Association.

If you’re using a space heater this winter, you need to take extra precautions:

• Make sure the space heater you own or plan to buy has the Underwriters Laboratories label, which shows it has undergone rigorous safety testing, and choose 1 that has an automatic shut-off function in case it tips over or overheats.
• Proper placement of your space heater is crucial to avoiding potential hazards. Always put it on a level, nonflammable surface – never on countertops or near water sources.
• Keep anything that can burn – furniture, curtains, bedding, towels, etc. – at least 3 feet from a space heater and any other heat source. Also, keep the heater clean, and free of dust and debris.
• Turn off space heaters when leaving a room. Better yet, unplug the device when it’s not being used.
• Never plug a space heater into an extension cord or power strip, and never use 1 that has a damaged cord.
• Educate everyone in the household, especially children, about space heaters’ potential dangers and the steps to stay safe. Prevent burns and other accidents by teaching youngsters not to touch or play near the heater, and encourage them to alert an adult if they notice any safety issues.
• Even when taking proper precautions, accidents can still happen, so be sure to have functioning smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in place throughout your home. Consistently check the batteries, even in detectors that are wired, and make sure the devices are in good working order. The U.S. Fire Administration advises replacing smoke alarms every 10 years and checking their batteries monthly.
• Remember that space heaters are not made for use as the primary heating source for an entire home. They are intended for limited, localized heating. And by following these simple guidelines, you can enjoy their warmth and comfort without compromising your well-being.