It’s that time of year again: your toes are numb, your cheeks are rosy, and it’s time to turn up the thermostat.
Like many Canadians, we in the Okanagan know these signs all too well—Old Man Winter is back in town.
We may be well trained to bundle up before stepping outside, but with frigid overnight temperatures and rising heating costs, it pays to bundle up and seal your home before the deep freeze hits.
Follow these simple tips to keep your home toasty warm and your heating bills low.
Tip 1: Change furnace filters
It won’t work like a dream if it’s not clean. Be sure to replace or clean furnace filters once a month during the peak heating season.
Tip 2: Find the leaks and fill ‘em up
Since windows and doors are the main culprits for letting hot air escape, an effective way to help minimize these leaks is by applying an insulating film to windows, doors and rooms that get little use.
Another option is weather stripping doors and windows. It does come with a little labour, but Cottage Life personality Colin Hunter offers some do-it-yourself tips to help minimize the impact and strain on your body. “If you begin feeling aches and pains when working around the house, make sure you change your work environment before it intensifies or potentially causes more serious damage,” says Hunter. “Taking a moment to stretch is helpful, as well as investing in a proven anti-fatigue mat that relieves stress on the knees and back…It can do wonders for preventing pain.”
Tip 3: Run fans in reverse
By switching the ceiling fan’s rotation from counter-clockwise to clockwise you can circulate warm, rather than cold, air. When hot air pools near the ceiling, the clockwise rotation brings it back into the living space.
