Allow your faucets to drip
This sounds counter intuitive to home owners, but if the temperatures are well below freezing outside, your pipes are at risk of bursting. Fixing exploded pipes is a costly and pain-staking procedure, so you'll want to avoid that at all costs. If the temperatures drop well below freezing, simply crack your faucets to allow water to steadily drip out. The running water in the pipes will keep your pipes from freezing.
Leave your house immediately if you detect the smell of gas
If you use gas to heat your home and smell a strong sulfur-like odor, you need to leave your house and call a professional. Gas leaks do happen and they need to be taken seriously and handled by a professional.
WARM YOURSELF FIRST
It's easier to change your body temperature than room temperature, not to mention more eco-friendly. Instead of turning up the heat, put on another layer of clothing.
Turn down the thermostat
Or even better is to purchase a programmable one. You can save as much as 2-3% on your energy costs for every degree you lower your thermostat around the clock. If you program the heat to lower while you're gone at work and sleeping, you can save as much as 10% on your annual heating bill. That sounds pretty nice.
Give your furnace a good inspection
Look for rust. Check for scaling on the heat exchanger. Ensure proper flame color. Also, listen for odd sounds, and note any odd smells. Lastly, check the condition of venting. If you have any cause for concern, consult a professional.
WEAR A HAT Your mom may have said that you lose 80 percent of your body heat through your head, but that's not actually true. If you're otherwise clothed, you'll lose heat from any surface that's exposed. So put on your hat, even if you're inside.
TURN ON THE CEILING FAN
Warm air rises to the ceiling. Run your fan on its lowest setting in a clockwise direction to push the warm air back down to where you can feel it.
SWITCH BETWEEN HOT AND COLD WATER IN THE SHOWER
Hot showers immediately warm you up, but cold showers improve blood circulation between your skin and organs. Cold showers are also correlated with a stronger immune system.
BLOCK DRAFTS WITH A POOL NOODLE
Keep heat in and cold out by cutting a pool noodle in half lengthwise, wrapping it in fabric, and sliding it under your door. It'll stay put all winter, and you can re-use it at the pool come summer. (But we recommend you spring for a new one.)
TWO WORDS: PROGRAMMABLE THERMOSTAT Another two words: Obvious, right? Stay toasty on schedule, so you never go home to a living room that's colder than outside. You can even do it with your smartphone.
Corporate Housing Houston wishes you a safe and warm winter