Too Cold to Open the Windows? Try This Instead.
With temperatures dropping across the country and the coronavirus pandemic picking up steam, staying warm this winter might be a little tricky. Most of us were able to reduce our chances of infection during the spring, summer, and fall by leaving the windows open and turning on a few fans. This increases ventilation by exchanging the air inside your home. The coronavirus is much more likely to spread in indoor settings, which is why ventilation is key.
But opening the windows can be next to impossible when it’s below freezing outside. Health experts say it’s best to find the right mix of warmth and ventilation this winter. Use these tips to keep the virus at bay all season long without letting in the cold.
Insulate Your Home
As it gets colder, don’t forget to properly insulate your home. Look for drafts, leaks, and other cold spots around windows, doors, and vents to keep the heat inside. This will give you more options as the winter goes on. You will feel more comfortable opening the windows to increase ventilation if the room is warm to begin with. This will help you protect yourself when hosting family or friends inside your home.
Consider having a professional add more insulation to your home. This will help lock in precious heat as the temperature continues to drop.
Replace Your Windows
Leaky windows tend to be a major problem in the winter. To keep the heat inside your home, make sure you’re using high-quality windows for extra insulation. Again, it’s about staying in control of the temperature inside your home this winter. If you are cold or spending a fortune just to heat your house, you will be much less likely to open the windows when it could be vital to your health. Use windows that are easy to open to keep the air flowing when having guests over. This makes it easy to replace the air inside your home if it gets too stuffy down the line.
Inspect Your HVAC System
Your heating system will be essential to your health and safety this winter. In addition to keeping you warm, it will help you control the air inside your home. If you need to open the windows to let some air in, your furnace will have to work harder to make up the difference, which could make this one of the most expensive winters in memory, at least in terms of your utility bills.
Have your unit inspected by a professional to make sure it’s running at optimal efficiency. Keep debris away from the heating unit to avoid fires and electrical damage. Ideally, your HVAC system should replace the air inside your home with fresh outdoor air. Keep the area around the exhaust and intake valves clear, so air can pass through the system freely.
Check on your system from time to time as the months go on to make sure it can handle the load. Keep an ear out for strange sounds that may be a sign that something’s wrong.
Focus on keeping your home warm this winter without reducing ventilation. Contact the team at A-1 Guaranteed for more winter HVAC advice.
