Now that St. Louis winter weather has set in and the chill is undoubtedly in the air, the cold weather can make anybody grumpy, and arguments over what number should display on the thermostat can become heated, fast! Rather than succumbing to household battles over the thermostat, check out some of the handy tips below to reduce stress and help everyone in your home find comfort.
- Improving your home’s heating efficiency – Perhaps part of the argument about the heat level of your home is simply because higher temperatures often mean higher heating costs. One way to reduce the costs that often come with a higher temperature is to take steps towards upgrading your home’s heating efficiency. Some examples of such steps are:
- Checking your insulation – Performing an energy efficiency audit, you will likely find some spots in your home that would benefit from a little more insulation or even require a repair or replacement. Perhaps that cold spot in the house is because a sheet of insulation came detached from the wall or there are uninsulated spaces in your house. It never hurts to check.
- Checking for potential heat loss – Check your doors and windows for excessive heat loss. You may find that a window just needs a better seal or the crack at the bottom of the door is the culprit. You can even check your exhaust fans for incoming chills.
- Maintaining your heating system – Get your heating system inspected before winter to catch any potential repairs or part replacements that might be required before the cold weather starts. This will also ensure that your system is operating at peak efficiency.
- Taking advantage of the sun – This tip might sound old-fashioned, but opening and closing curtains and shades depending on where and when the sun is shining through can have a noticeable impact on the temperature in your home.
Space Heaters – Modern space heaters are generally safe and fairly efficient. The luxury of a space heater is that you can put it where it is required most. Allow your chilly loved-one to be toasty and warm in their space, while keeping the thermostat lower in the rest of your home.- Zone Heating – Modern space heaters are wonderful tools when one space in your home requires higher heating than the rest of the house. However, zone heating may be an even better option in more modern homes. With the aid of smart thermostats and vents, you can customize the preferred temperature of various rooms in the house.
- Agreed to disagree… and then compromise – Often in our relationships, we find that we each have to give a little to get a little. The temperature in your living space may well be one of those areas in which a compromise is required, especially in a cozier space like a shared bedroom. If Party A likes the thermostat to be a tropical 72, because, “Why do tank tops only have to be a summer option?”. But Party B prefers a cool 61 because, “You can always add layers and it saves money!” then perhaps a meeting somewhere in the middle at 67 and adding some extra blankets can do the trick.
Contact Us for Heating Efficiency in Your St. Louis Home
After 60 years of providing St. Louis with heating services, at Galmiche & Sons Heating & Cooling, we have seen it all and had many of our own family thermostat battles and compromises! If you would like more information on the steps you can take to personalize your home’s heating system, contact our heating & air conditioning experts at (314) 993-1110.
