John A. Kinkaid Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc.

How to Stay Warm During Power Outages This Winter

power outages

Winter is in full swing and with winter comes the risk of snow storms and power outages. Here are six tips from the experts at John A. Kinkaid Heating & Air Conditioning on how to stay warm during winter power outages.

1. Keep all windows and doors to the outside shut

It is vital that you keep all outside windows and doors shut as much as possible. So you should only leave the house if it is vitally important to prevent excess heat loss through the opening and closing of doors. Of course, you should limit travel anyway because if the power is out, the roads are probably not very safe.

2. Block drafts

Check for drafts around your doors and windows. Ideally this should be done before a power outage occurs, and any cracks should be caulked and sealed. However, if you do find a draft that was missed, covering it with a towel during the power outage will still help conserve heat.

3. Take advantage of passive solar energy

This may sound fancy, but it is really quite simple. Covering windows with black blankets during the day will help draw in the heat. By evening those blankets should be nice and toasty warm. Sleeping under them after they’ve spent the day soaking up all that heat will help ensure you stay warm overnight. Just make sure you put them back come dawn.

4. Have sufficient heat fuel for emergency heat sources

This is where having a fireplace comes in handy. Just make sure you have a supply of fuel for your emergency heat source. Make sure the room where your fireplace or stove being used is well ventilated and protect your family with battery-powered carbon monoxide detectors.

5. Block off unused rooms to conserve heat

If you only have one emergency heat source, it would be best to limit activity to the room that has the heat source. Using a fireplace to heat one room will take a lot less fuel than trying to heat an entire house.

6. Dress warm to conserve fuel

Before you go turning up the heat on your emergency fuel source, consider dressing a little warmer. Wearing a hat conserves a lot of heat, as the most body heat is lost through the top of your head. Mittens are also better at conserving body heat than gloves. Dressing in layers allows you to add or remove layers as needed to deal with fluctuating temperatures while conserving your emergency heat source.

Giving your HVAC system an annual tune-up is also important to ensure your family stays nice and cozy this winter! Contact Kinkaid in the Willow Grove area at 215-657-1262 and in the Ambler area at 215-646-5577. Or contact us online to request an appointment today. Stay warm, friends!

7 Ways to Save Money and Stay Warm This Winter

stay warm this winter

Temperatures are dropping and winter is closing in fast. Here are some quick tips from the experts at John A. Kinkaid Heating & Air Conditioning on how to stay warm while saving money this winter.

1. Break out the storm windows

Storm windows are especially important for older homes that may not have properly insulated windows. A lot of heat can seep out through the cracks around old windows. A set of quality storm windows will help you cut down on that heating bill while staying toasty warm.

2. Turn on the ceiling fan

Most people know to turn on the fan during the summer. But did you know that the fan can also help during the winter? Hot air will rise, collecting at the top of the room. Reversing the fan pushes that hot air down, providing better circulation and keeping you and your family much warmer.

3. Before you turn up the heat, consider putting on some extra layers

Too many times we get in the habit of just cranking up the heat when we get cold. But before you start turning up the heat this winter, consider putting on a sweater and a pair of wool socks. You’d be surprised how much a little extra warm clothing can shave off your heating bill this winter.

4. Close off unused areas

Not using the guest bedroom? What about that attic? Or the basement? Close it off. There is no point in paying to heat parts of the house that aren’t even being used. Close the doors and stuff some old rags in the cracks under the doors to prevent the heat from the rest of the house from leaching out through unused rooms.

5. Take advantage of the sunlight

You don’t have to have solar panels or fancy equipment to take advantage of solar energy. You can use passive solar energy to help heat your house by opening all of your curtains and drapes during the day, then closing them at night to preserve the heat that was collected. It is a simple, but efficient way to shave a little bit more off that energy bill.

6. Cook up some heat

Do you love to cook? Turn down the heat in the kitchen when you’re cooking. The stove and oven will often give off enough heat to make up the difference. Every little bit you can save helps.

7. Don’t leave the heat on when you’re gone

Why would you pay to heat an empty house? Turn the heat down while you’re at work. If you have a pet who might get cold, only keep the heat turned up in one room.