With daytime temperatures frequently flirting with the 60s and 70s, Arizona’s winter weather is often the envy of the nation.
Even so, we usually endure a few stretches of more conventional winter weather, including hard overnight freezes and occasionally even snow. While your ugly sweaters might already be stashed away until next holiday season, it’s not too late to winterproof your home to stay comfortable while saving money on your electric bill.
- Check your thermostat: The U.S. Department of Energy recommends setting your thermostat to 68 degrees for optimal efficiency. If you bundle up at night, you might reduce the temperature in the evening hours. Better yet, buy a programmable thermostat to automate these adjustments.
- Leverage nature: Open curtains on south-facing windows during the day to warm your home naturally with sunlight. Close them at night to retain heat. You also might consider planting deciduous trees on the west, east or south side of your home to provide shade during the summer months. When the tree loses its leaves for the winter, it will continue to allow sunlight to warm your home in the winter.
- Reverse your ceiling fans: Change the direction of your ceiling fans so that they rotate clockwise. This pushes warm air down, helping to distribute heat more evenly. Don’t forget to turn them off when no one is home. While ceiling fans make you feel more comfortable, they don’t actually change a room’s temperature.
- Seal drafts: With the change in seasons, check for drafts in your home. Make sure your doors and windows are sealed. Consider installing door sweeps on all exterior doors. This will make a noticeable change in your home’s comfort level.
- Close the damper: If you’re using your fireplace as a source of heat or for ambiance, just remember it can compromise your home’s energy efficiency. When it’s not in use, close the dampers so warm air doesn’t escape up the chimney.
