February isn’t exactly frigid in SoCal but it still gets chilly, and keeping your home cozy and warm can get expensive.
The frugal-minded turn to extra blankets and multiple layers to keep from paying expensive heating bills, but what else can you do to be comfortable in cold weather?
Make an effort to turn down the temperature.
The US Department of energy recommends setting your winter thermostat to 68 degrees during the day, dialing it 7-10 degrees lower for at least eight hours a day while asleep or away from home.
SoCal Gas is giving a $75 rebate now for qualifying smart or programmable thermostats like Nest that allow you to take control of the temperature. The location of your thermostat can also affect performance and efficiency.
To operate properly, a thermostat must be on an interior wall away from direct sunlight, drafts or where furniture will block natural air movement.
For safety and efficiency, replace the furnace filters at least every three months, and keep all heating vents and furnace registers free of dirt, lint and obstructions. Do not close off vents in unused rooms.
HVAC professionals warn that closing vents causes pressure to build up in your ducts, making the furnace work harder to distribute air properly. Ducts are a major culprit of heat loss—leaking ductwork accounts for 25-30 percent of heating costs in the average home. An inspection from a licensed HVAC contractor can identify problem areas and repair leaks or restrictions.
Over the winter, keep the draperies and shades on your south-facing windows open during the day to allow our abundant sunshine to enter your home. Close at night to keep in the heat and reduce the chill from cold windows. Install weather-stripping or caulk around leaky doors and windows.
If your home has a wood burning fireplace, remember to keep the damper closed when it’s not in use to prevent cold drafts and eliminate soot odors that are prone to travel into the house during windy or stormy days.
If you are tired of hauling logs and tending a fire, go with gas. Highly efficient natural gas fireplace inserts can heat up to 1,000 square feet of living space. Glass doors should be closed when the fireplace is not in use to reduce drafts and heat loss, and open when burning. Add an elegant cast iron fire back to promote heat transfer into the room.
Adriana Donofrio • deasypennerpodley Glendora (626) 926-9700 • adonofrio@dppre.com
