It’s coming. You can feel it in the stiffness of your joints and bones. You can savor it in the Pumpkin Spice Lattes and gingerbread cookies. You can see it in the headlights of passing cars when you know it’s only 6:00 p.m. and the sun should be out but instead the evening is already blanketed in blackness. That’s right. Winter is coming.
In many areas it’s already here. Snow has begun to fall and temperatures are already calling for hats, scarves, and gloves. If your home is not prepped, it’s not too late. Winterize your household with these pointers from McElroy Service Experts.
1. Ensure comfort and safety this winter.
In a recent survey McElroy Service Experts discovered that 66.5% of people didn’t know if they would recognize the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. This is a enormous problem, especially now since peak carbon monoxide exposures happen during the winter months when people are turning on their heating systems and utilizing their fireplaces.
Another big issue is the initial symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are like the flu, but without a fever. part of the symptoms are listed below:
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea
- Dizziness
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) advises having your heating system professionally inspected and serviced regularly to make sure the system is operating properly to keep you and your family healthy.
2. Talk to an expert about humidifiers.
Humidifiers don’t just help to keep you and your family healthy, they might help you save money on energy and keep your home décor from becoming lost. A few reasons to invest in a humidifier are:
- Humidifiers help moisturize your nasal passages, aiding to relieve congestion and sinusitis and keeping irritating nose bleeds and respiratory infections far off.
- Sleeping with a humidifier can help soothes itchy, dry skin and help clear up severe skin irritations, such as eczema and psoriasis.
- The absence of moisture in the air helps with beyond just your skin. If wooden furniture or floors get too dried out, they could start to split, and paint and wallpaper may crack or peel. Adding a humidifier to your home could help to keep assist in keeping sufficient moisture in your hardwood floors, wallpaper, and paint and keep your home looking newer longer.
- While dry air may make you feel cooler at warmer temperatures, adding a humidifier puts moisture back in the home and helps you feel warmer at decreased temperatures, which helps save money on your energy bill.
3. Use your oven. Bake some bread.
When you come down with get cabin fever this winter, bring out the apron and start baking! Baking can be therapeutic and it makes your house smell delicious. Try this homemade bread recipe or add a challenge with banana bread and cinnamon bread. Baking is a great way to add some fragrance to your house and provide tasty treats, but be certain to never use an open oven to heat your home. Ovens are only designed to heat its enclosed baking space, and could be a serious safety and fire risk when left open and turned on.
4. Inspect your attic insulation level.
An easy way to stay warm and assist with energy savings is to make sure your attic is well-insulated. According to the Department of Energy, a properly insulated attic can save you anywhere from 10% to 50% off your heating costs. If your attic insulation isn’t adequate, you can lose heat through the attic which causes your heating system to work harder to keep your home at a comfy temperature. The proper insulation can avoid this altogether, saving you money on your energy bills. And who couldn’t stand to save some money right after the holidays?
5. Seal entry points around your roof.
Winter brings on a lot of nuisances – bad driving conditions, freezing temperatures, less sunshine – but the nastiest has to be pests. Sealing entry points around your roof can keep inquisitive critters from finding comfort in your home. Prevent bugs, rodents, and wildlife invading your comfy space and nestle up by the fire in peace.
Want more tips on how to beat winter? Set up an appointment with us online or give us a call at 308-210-4398.