How to Stay Warm Without Cranking Up the Heat

When those cold months hit, most people find that they also have to prepare for higher energy bills. But what if you could find a few ways to stay warm, and cut back on those extra energy costs? If you’re looking for a few more ways to stay warm this winter, but want to avoid cranking up the heat, here are a few ideas to keep in mind.

• Purchase a Wood Burning Stove or Fireplace - While this seems like no small feat, purchasing a either of these can be a great way to cut down on energy bills this winter. Wood burning stoves and fireplaces are a great way to heat just a few rooms in your home, especially if you find yourself only using those few during the winter. They also allow you to keep your thermostat at a lower temperature. If you do find yourself thinking a wood burning stove or fireplace is the right way to go, keep in mind that they need regular maintenance checks and cleaning. 
• Grab Some Electric Blankets - Who knew such a simple idea could be such a lifesaver? If you’re one of those people who just can’t seem to get warm no matter how many layers you put on, an electric blanket can be a great way to keep warm on those especially chilly days. If you’ve purchased electric blankets to use regularly, make sure you check them often to make sure there aren’t any exposed or damaged wires. Avoid using blankets that are more than 10-years old, and if you’re using it while you sleep, consider only using it to heat the bed to minimize fire risk. 
• Get a Programmable Thermostat - Programmable thermostats are a great way to keep your home heated and your energy bills in check. There are many different models to choose from, so research them and pick one with your type of lifestyle in mind. Schedule your thermostat to reduce the temperature when you’re away, and increase it while you’re home. Many can even be controlled from your phone.

If you find yourself considering new ways to keep your family warm over the winter, but need help deciding on which way to go, contact Wheeler’s Heating & Air Conditioning today. We can help you find the best fit for your family and lifestyle. Give us a call today at 417-839-9240 to set up an appointment, or visit our Facebook page to stay up to date on HVAC tips and tricks.

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References

https://www.directenergy.com/learning-center/weather-readiness/assessing-secondary-heating-sources-home-winter

https://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=thermostats.pr_thermostats_features

Tips for improving your air quality during the winter

The return of winter means the return of cold, dry air. Dry air can negatively impact your health in more ways than just chapped lips. The Cleveland Clinic reports that dry air can cause problems including dry eyes, sore throat, dry nasal passages/bloody noses, more susceptible to illness, and worsened allergy/asthma symptoms. Consider combating dry air by adding a humidifier to your home. Humidifiers make your home healthier and more comfortable to be in.

Signs of Low Humidity  

The clearest sign of low humidity is your personal health. If your lips are chapped or skin is cracking, your home likely has low humidity. The EPA recommends keeping your home between 30 and 50 percent humidity.  Individuals with asthma or allergies find that their symptoms become worsened in homes with low humidity. Other signs included an increase in static electricity around the house and cracked paint along your walls. A humidifier will keep your family healthy and happy in the winter months

Other Benefits

• Reduced snoring - Dry air means dry nasal passageways. This can cause snoring problems to emerge or worsen.
• Softer skin - Cold winter air dries out your skin. This can make your skin appear older and less vibrant. A humidifier will keep your skin looking young and full of color.
• Healthier houseplants - Plants survive best in a tropical and humid area. A humidifier will have your plants looking better and living longer.
• Protect your home - Dry air can cause harm to areas of your home. Low humidity can hurt your furniture, crack your floorboards, and ruin your wallpaper.
• Save money on heating bills - Adding humidity to your home will cause your home to feel warmer, which will save you money on energy bills.

Installing a humidifier is the best thing you can do for your family this dry season. There are different types and styles of humidifiers from small portable steam vaporizers to whole home humidifiers. If you have humidity concerns, trust the professionals at Wheeler Heating and Air Conditioning LLC. We are family owned and operated and provide honest, reliable, and affordable services. We are available 24/7 and offer free in-home estimates. To find out more, call 417-839-9240 or visit our website.

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Sources

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322228.php

https://www.bewell.com/blog/10-ways-a-humidifier-improves-your-health-skin-and-household-this-winter/

https://molekule.com/blog/home-humidifier-benefits/

The Importance of Winterizing your Home

There’s no better time than now to get your home prepared for the winter. Winterizing your home will help you avoid costly weather-related repairs that are so common in the cold months. Here’s what to focus on when winterizing your home:

Pipes

Frozen water can cause leaks and cracks in your water pipes. Piping is the most susceptible part of your home when it comes to cold weather damage, particularly pipes located in the attic, basement, crawl spaces, and near outer walls. Proper insulation will keep these outer pipes from freezing, but if they are not well-insulated, you need to take steps to ensure they withstand a cold snap. When the forecast calls for unusually cold temperatures, let water drip from hot and cold faucets overnight. Keeping cabinet doors open will allow warm air to circulate in places like below sinks. If you plan to leave your home for an extended period of time during cold temperatures, you should shut your water off completely.

Insulation

In addition to adding weather stripping and plastic wrap to doors and windows, you’ll want to add extra insulation in the attic to guard against ice dams. If too much heat escapes into the attic, it can warm the ice and snow on the roof. When it freezes again, it can cause an ice dam, which can lead to water damage inside your home or possibly even a roof collapse. We recommend calling a home insulation contractor to inspect your insulation and perform any upgrades if necessary.

Chimney

If your home has a wood-burning fireplace, you’ll want to get your chimney checked for soot buildup once a year, preferably in the fall before you begin using it regularly. Soot buildup can be very dangerous, posing a fire hazard and carbon monoxide poisoning risks.

Heating System

Your furnace is about to get its big annual workout, so now is the time to make sure it’s all tuned up and ready to go when winter hits. Have your furnace or boiler checked by a licensed contractor before the big freeze, and clean or replace your filter on forced air systems. Have your fuel tanks filled and keep an eye on the levels throughout winter. Stay energy-efficient by making sure your heat isn’t escaping through poor insulation or gaps in your windows and doors. Use weather stripping on doors and shrinkable plastic wrap on leaky windows.

If you need your furnace serviced or your filter replaced before winter comes, Wheeler’s Heating & Air Conditioning can help! We offer complete installation of new furnaces and air conditioners. We provide honest, reliable, and affordable service. We are available 24/7 and we will never charge you an extra fee for after hours, holidays, or weekends. Contact Wheeler’s today!

Heat Pump Basics

When you’re a homeowner, it can be difficult to keep track of what’s what, especially if you’re trying to figure out your central heating and cooling system. With so many moving parts, this integral piece of your home can be difficult to wrap your head around, which is why we’ll be focusing on the heat pump this month.

What is a Heat Pump?

A heat pump is a part of your central heating and cooling system. It takes the air from outside and uses it to cool your home in the summer and heat it in the winter.

How Does it Work?

Your heat pump works hard to move heat to different places in your home, especially where it’s needed most. When it’s cold outside, it’ll take the heat from the outside air and move it inside, and when it’s warm out during the summer, it’ll take the heat from inside the home and remove it. One of the most efficient aspects of a heat pump is that it actually doesn’t create any of its own heat, it just moves it from place to place. This makes it very energy efficient and environmentally friendly. Another way it’s efficient is that your heat pump will use electricity, so you’ll save big when it comes to fuel consumption. This is also how you can tell the difference between a heat pump and a furnace—a furnace burns fuel to heat a home, while a heat pump uses electricity to heat your space.

Should I Get a Heat Pump?

Heat pumps are better for people who live in more moderate regions of the United States. While heat pumps are a great way to distribute heat throughout your home, there are some regions where a heat pump alone just wouldn’t be enough. If you live in the midwest or more northern states where cold winters and inclement weather are common, you’ll need to consider additional heat sources if you’re seriously considering a heat pump.

If you’re looking for a trusted heating and cooling company, Wheeler’s Heating & Air Conditioning is the place to go. Our experienced team can help you with everything from system installs to recommending the right product for your home. Give us a call today at 417-839-9240 to learn more about heat pump installation, or visit our website for a full list of our services.

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References

https://www.trane.com/residential/en/resources/glossary/what-is-a-heat-pump/

https://mid80s.wordpress.com/2016/11/12/some-reading-for-the-weekend/

https://www.southernliving.com/home-garden/idea-houses/idea-house-photo-tour#living-room_19

How to Combat Common Irritants When Heating Your Home

While the temperatures continue to drop outside, it’s only natural to want the temperatures inside to rise. As winter continues, we tend to do whatever it takes to stay warm and comfortable whenever we’re indoors, and that often means setting our thermostats to a higher than normal internal temperature.

Sounds like a flawless plan, right? When you’re cold, simply turn up the heat in your home or office, and you have what it takes to beat winter! Well, not exactly. When the weather inside becomes even just a few degrees warmer than normal, that temperature fluctuation can have drastic consequences on you and your body.

Here are a few common irritants that often come with turning up the heat in your home.

Use a Humidifier

Although your home’s heating system will bring needed comfort from the bitter cold, that doesn’t mean the price you have to pay is allergies and dry skin. Why does this happen? The higher the temperatures, the less moisture there is in the air, and that often leads to cracked lips, irritated skin, and even the occasional sore throat.

This is where a humidifier in your home will help significantly. Humidifiers will deliver the necessary moisture needed in the air, all without sacrificing the cozy feeling you’re looking for.

Try a Space Heater

While space heaters are a great option to create warmth in your home without turning on the furnace, we highly recommend you use one without a fan. Fans in space heaters can easily circulate excess dirt and dust in your home.

Instead, go for a micathermic heater or an infrared space heater. Micathermic heaters are quiet, efficient, and heat indoor rooms evenly without fans. Infrared heaters, which use energy waves to transfer heat directly onto people or objects, are great for warming areas directly in front of the heating unit.

While it may feel good to turn the temperature up in your home this winter, proceed with caution. The more you know about how heating can lead to dry skin and allergens, the more you can do to not only combat those potential issues and stay cozy and healthy all season long. For more information on how you can heat your home safely, trust your friends and experts at Wheeler Heating and Air. Reach us today at 417-839-9240 or at wheelerheatingandair@gmail.com.

Your Furnace Broke: What you can do to Stay Warm

You wake up inside your own home and see your breath, you run to the thermostat and see that it is forty degrees in your house and the thermostat says the furnace is on. Instead of panicking and spending money at a hotel, use this guide to stay warm.

First, call Wheelers Heating and Air Conditioning.  We are available 24/7, and there is not an extra fee for after hours, holidays, or weekends. Then concentrate on getting yourself warm.

• Wearing thin layers under your sweater and then your coat will trap in extra heat.

• Eat and drink hot food and drinks; this will keep your internal temperature warm.

• Use a hair dryer for parts of your body that will not warm up.

• Move around, do jumping jacks, run in place.

• Wrap in extra blankets, especially if you have an electric one.

Now that you are warm and you need to keep moving, work on getting your house warm again.

• Make sure your storm windows and main windows are shut properly. You may want to add plastic to them for extra protection.

• Is it a sunny day? Open the drapes and let the sun in during the day.

• Close your drapes at night to keep the heat in that specific room.

• Check for drafts near doorways. Use a towel and block the bottom of the door. You can also seal your doors with weather stripping.

• Shut all doors to unused rooms. Doing this will stop the air from circulating as much, which will reduce heat loss.

• Seal the heater vents, that way when the furnace does turn on, you can heat the main rooms that you are living in first.

• Turn on the lights. Up to 95% of the light bulb's energy is heat.

• Light candles around the room you are staying in, they are a heat source.

• Do you have a fireplace? Light a fire and try to stay in that room the most.

Now that you have contacted Wheelers Heating & Air Conditioning at 417-839-9240, you can also email us at wheelerheatingandair@gmail.com to schedule a free home estimate. We pay attention to every detail, and we want you and your family to stay warm throughout the year.

Sources:

www.home.bt.com

www.wheelerheatingandair.com

www.ricksheatingandcooling.com

www.shiptons.com