Is Your Home Winterized?

Are you feeling the stiffness in your joints and bones? Have you made an extra trip or two to Starbucks lately to warm up? Do you leave for work in the dark and get off when it’s dark outside? Then you know we are right in the middle of winter in Texas. Just as you prep your wardrobe with hats, scarves, and gloves, it’s time to get your house prepped for winter. It’s not too late. Winterize your household with these tips from Spencer Heating & Air Conditioning. 1. Ensure comfort and safety this winter. Sixty-seven percent of people surveyed didn’t know if they would recognize the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning. This is an enormous problem, especially now since most carbon monoxide exposures happen during the winter months when people are turning on their heating systems and taking advantage of their fireplaces. Another big issue is the initial symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are like 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) advises having your heating system professionally inspected and serviced regularly to make sure the system is running correctly 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 ruined. A number of reasons to invest in a humidifier are: • Humidifiers help moisturize your nasal passages, serving to alleviate congestion and sinusitis and keeping irritating nose bleeds and respiratory infections at bay. • Sleeping with a humidifier can help soothe itchy, dry skin and help clear up severe skin irritations, such as eczema and psoriasis. • The reduction of moisture in the air helps with things other than just your skin. If wooden furniture or floors get too dried out, they might start to split, and paint and wallpaper may crack or peel. Buying a humidifier to your home could aid 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 lower temperatures, which helps save money on your energy expenses. 3. 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 properly insulated attic can save you anywhere from 10% to 50% off your heating costs. If your attic insulation isn’t sufficient, you can lose heat through the attic, which causes your heating system to run more 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 benefit from saving some money right after the holidays? 4. Seal entry points around your roof. Winter can bring on annoying pests. Sealing entry points around your roof can keep nosey critters from finding comfort in your home. Avoid bugs, rodents, and wildlife invading your comfy space and nestle up by the fire in peace. For all of your HVAC needs, call your friends at Spencer Heating and Air Conditioning are here to answer all of your questions on how to keep your home energy efficient. Give us a call today at (972) 446-COOL (2665) or find out more at spencerairconditioning.com.