When It Gets Cold Indoors: Tips on Keeping Warm Inside Your Home This Month
If you're feeling the winter chill even when indoors, you aren't alone. Average winter temperatures in Central Long Island can dip as low as 24 °F. With temperatures dropping and bills rising, these easy and budget-friendly tips will make sure your home stays cozy this winter.
Set the Right Indoor Temperature on Your Thermostat
The ideal indoor temperature for your home depends on the season. During winter months, you should aim to keep your home at a temperature between 68 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Keeping the thermostat set to this range not only keeps you comfortable but can also help save energy.
Check for Drafts in Your Home
If it feels cold inside your home, you might be dealing with drafts. Use a candle or a stick of burning incense to help spot any drafty areas in the room. If the flame flickers or you see smoke shifting away from its original position, there's likely an area that needs some extra TLC for winterizing your home.
Eliminate Drafts and Plug Holes
Once you find those drafty areas, plug up the hole with quality caulking. You can also apply weather stripping to windows and doors to create an added layer of insulation against cold air entering your home.
Clean or Change Your Furnace Filter
Keep your furnace filter clean and use fresh filters to help ensure your heater works at full capability. A blocked filter reduces the amount of warm air produced by your HVAC system, leaving you feeling cold and uncomfortable indoors.
Use Curtains and Window Coverings to Reduce Energy Loss in Your Home
Curtains, drapes, and other window treatments help prevent heat loss. Install curtains or shades on all your windows to hold in the heat while also saving energy. Open your curtains during the daytime to allow warm sunshine into your home, and close them once the winter sun sets.
Put Down a Carpet If You Have Tile or Hardwood Flooring
Hardwood and tile floors can feel chilly, but a plush carpet or area rug helps insulate the floor while adding some warmth to your room.
Reverse the Motion of Your Ceiling Fan to Move Warm Ceiling Air Down to the Ground
Hot air rises. If you have a ceiling fan, try reversing its rotation to push down the warm air from your ceilings and help distribute it around the room.
Run a Humidifier
The wintertime air in Central Long Island tends to be drier and can make your home feel even colder than it actually is. Keep a humidifier running in each of the main rooms in your house to add some warmth back into your environment.
Wear More Layers and Use Blankets
Bundle up by wearing layers and using blankets. The type of fabric you wear can affect how comfortable or warm you stay indoors. Fabrics such as wool, cashmere, and flannel materials are best for protection against the cold.
Senior Helpers Central Long Island Offers Personalized In-Home Care
No matter the season, Senior Helpers Central Long Island is here for you with personalized in-home care and support. Our licensed and trained professional caregivers provide tailored home care services, ranging from meal prep for seniors who need daily assistance to in-depth specialized care for those with chronic diseases. Contact Senior Helpers Central Long Island today to learn more about our services in Massapequa, Hicksville, Great Neck, Hempstead, Valley Stream, Nassau County, and Elmont, NY.