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Tips to Combat the Cold Weather in Granite City, IL

When the weather outside is frightful, you don’t need to choose between freezing inside or having a gigantic heating bill. Taking a couple of small steps around your home can improve both your comfort and your heating efficiency.

Check for Drafts

You wouldn’t leave your windows or doors open while your heat is running, but a draft is almost the same thing. The small cracks around your windows and doors can lead to cold air pouring in. To combat this, make sure your weatherstripping provides an airtight fit or replace it. Reapply caulk around your windows anywhere you can feel cold air.

Replace Your Air Filters on Time

Don’t forget to follow the replacement or cleaning schedule for your air filters. Dirty air filters slow the flow of air through your furnace. This makes it take longer to heat your home, and the slower air flow could also mean that the heat won’t reach all areas of your home evenly.

Use a Programmable Thermostat

No one likes waking up or coming home to a freezing house, but there’s no reason to keep your home toasty while you’re asleep or at work. When you’re away from home, you only need to keep your thermostat at about 55 degrees to prevent frozen pipes. You may want to go a little warmer at night when you’re sleeping, but don’t discount how much an extra blanket helps.

Contrary to popular myth, it does not take more energy to heat your home back up at the scheduled time. Even though your heater may run an extra long cycle to get the temperature back up, it would have been turning on and off all day.

Talk to an HVAC Professional

If you think your home isn’t as comfortable as it could be, talk to McFarland Indoor Comfort Services in Granite City. There are often small adjustments or preventive steps that can improve your comfort at zero cost to you after you factor in savings on your energy bill. Contact us today to learn more.