It’s coming. You can feel it in the stiffness of your joints and bones. You can taste 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 night. That’s right. Winter is coming.
In some areas it’s already here. Snow has blanketed the ground and temperatures are already calling for hats, scarves, and gloves. If your home is not prepared, it’s not too late. Winterize your home with these suggestions from BW/Cook Service Experts.
1. Ensure comfort and safety this winter.
In a recent survey BW/Cook Service Experts discovered that 66.5% of people didn’t know if they would recognize the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning. This is a massive problem, especially now since most carbon monoxide exposures happen during the winter months when people are turning on their heating systems and using their fireplaces.
Another big worry is the initial symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are similar to the flu, but without a fever. A few of the symptoms are listed below:
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea
- Dizziness
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends having your heating system professionally inspected and serviced regularly to make sure the system is working 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 may 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, serving to relieve congestion and sinusitis and keeping annoying nose bleeds and respiratory infections away.
- Sleeping with a humidifier can help relieve itchy, dry skin and help clear up severe skin irritations, such as eczema and psoriasis.
- The lack of moisture in the air helps with more than 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 necessary moisture in your hardwood floors, wallpaper, and paint and keep your home looking newer longer.
- While dry air could make you feel cooler at warmer temperatures, using a humidifier puts moisture into 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 catch get cabin fever this winter, tie on the apron and start baking! Baking can be therapeutic and it makes your house smell scrumptious. Try this homemade bread recipe or add a challenge with banana bread and cinnamon bread. Baking is a wonderful way to add some fragrance to your house and provide tasty treats, but make sure to never use an open oven to heat your home. Ovens are only made to heat its enclosed baking space, and could be a serious safety and fire hazard when left open and turned on.
4. Look at your attic insulation level.
A simple way to stay warm and help with energy savings is to make sure your attic is well-insulated. According to the Department of Energy, a sufficiently insulated attic can save you anywhere from 10% to 50% off your heating bill. 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 comfortable temperature. The appropriate insulation can avoid this altogether, saving you money on your energy bills. And who couldn’t benefit from saving some money right after the holidays?
5. Seal entry points around your roof.
Winter brings on a lot of problems – horrible driving conditions, freezing temperatures, less sunlight – but the most annoying has to be pests. Sealing entry points around your roof can keep inquisitive critters from finding comfort in your home. Keep out bugs, rodents, and wildlife invading your comfy space and snuggle 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 574-218-6404.