On warm fall days, it may be perfect to open your windows and let the crisp breeze come in. The sounds of leaves crackling and kids playing football outside make the upcoming winter months a bit more tolerable. The autumn season for Minnesotans seems more predictable then the other seasons. But it is still hard to know when to turn the heat on and how to keep your home comfortable. When you can, use the outdoor temperature to help regulate your home’s indoor temperature, and dress in layers so you can keep comfortable.
Prepare for the winter heating season.
Maximize the air flow:
- Make sure all dampers are appropriately opened or closed. If you don’t want to heat the spare bedroom when you don’t have guests, close the bedroom door and the dampers.
- Make sure there are no piles of clothes or blankets blocking vents or dampers.
- Clean dusty dampers or vents if they look dirty or plugged.
- Position furniture or drapes so that they are not obstructing return registers or vents.
- If you have ceiling fans in your home, make sure they are switched to go in the right direction for the season (ceiling fans should go in the clockwise direction for the heating season).
Minimize the air flow:
If you have older windows in your home, you probably have some unwanted air flow. If you think you could lose heat through air leaks around your windows, doors, or electrical outlets, there are weatherization products to help. For instance, you can use caulking, insulation, or weather stripping. You may also want to consider conserving energy by installing a plastic window insulation kit.
If you are unsure where your leaks are, you may want to consider blower door testing. Chappell Central can help you identify areas of air leakage to reduce energy consumption, avoid moisture condensation problems, and ensure your home’s indoor air quality. Just contact us.
What are you doing to make the most of the autumn air flow, or prepare for the cool winter air?
