I posted these helpful tips a few years ago, but I believe they are worth repeating. We all want warm homes, and these seeds of wisdom are simple and helpful.

Pipes are freezing. Houses are burning due to unattended space heaters. People are complaining about drafts. These winter woes can be avoided by taking simple preventive measures. You know the old adage, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
There are a couple things you can do to keep your pipes from freezing. Dripping the water in your faucets is the simplest way to avoid frozen pipes. It doesn’t take much flow to keep the freezing at bay. Opening the cabinet doors under sinks also assists in keeping the pipes ice free. Pipe wrap can be purchased at most hardware and home goods stores. The wrap is made of foam and easily slips around water lines.
Space heaters are great for warming small spaces in a hurry, but they’re dangerous if left unattended or for long periods of time. Many of them are terrible energy hogs, so you’ll want to look for one that’s energy efficient.
If using space heaters indoors, please only use electric ones. Propane, natural gas, and kerosene space heaters can emit dangerous amounts of carbon monoxide. Never leave any kind of space heater unattended due to fire risks.
According to energy.gov, more than 25,000 residential fires are attributed to space heaters every year. More than 300 people die every year as a result of those fires. There are house fires in my area every year caused by people using space heaters to defrost frozen pipes.
Sealing the cracks in your home will keep you warmer and reduce your energy consumption. Caulking around windows and installing weatherstripping or foam tape around doors can drastically reduce drafts. Even using draft dodgers in the gaps under your doors will help reduce air infiltration.
There are many other things you can do to improve the energy efficiency of your home. If you do a little research, you may be surprised. Even something as simple as closing your curtains can save you money and keep your home warmer.
In these uncertain and tumultuous times, I hope you stay safe and healthy.
I am an Amazon Associate. As such, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases made through my affiliate links.
Thank you for reading Ozarks Maven! If you’ve enjoyed my little seeds of wisdom and joy, please subscribe to Ozarks Maven, Like Ozarks Maven on Facebook, or follow me on Twitter @OzarksMaven.
Comments