Keep Your Greenville Home Safe From Fire Damage

Greenville winters can have some chilly days and cold nights. Constantly heating the entire house can put a strain on your budget. Often, focusing on heating the bedrooms at night can be a reasonable alternative. But is it safe?

Space heaters are responsible for 79% of deadly home heating fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Therefore, the association recommends plugging space heaters directly into the wall and never using an extension cord. Double check that your outlet can handle the energy load. If your space heater requires 20 amps and your outlet is only 15 amps, search for somewhere else to plug it in.

 

Take Advantage Of Heat From The Sun

Explore other ways to maximize the heat you are already paying for with some old fashioned techniques. Before you leave the house for the day, let the light shine in from your south-facing windows during the day to naturally heat your home. Once the sun goes down, keep all that heat from leaving through the windows by closing the drapes to reduce the chill you may feel from cold windows.

Repair any broken materials that let in cold air. Cover drafty windows with “blackout” curtains or other insulating window treatments. Install tight-fitting drapes or shades on windows that feel drafty after weatherizing.

 

Install A Programmable Thermostat

Keep your bills low and your efficiency high; program your thermostat. The system works more smoothly, you are more comfortable and the energy use is lower. According to energy.gov, When you are asleep or out of the house, turn your thermostat back 10° to 15° for eight hours and save around 10% a year on your heating and cooling bills. Here is a recommendation:

 

6 a.m. to 9 a.m. = 68 degrees

9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. = 60 degrees

5:30 to 11 p.m. = 68 degrees

11 p.m. to 6 a.m. = 60 degrees

Use The Features Of Your Ceiling Fans

If you have ceiling fans in your home, they may be sitting needlessly dormant during the winter months. Many fans have a “winter” setting, which reverses the fan so that it moves clockwise vs. counterclockwise. Since heat rises, the clockwise-spinning fan will push the heat back down into your rooms versus being trapped up at the ceilings. This is especially recommended if you have high or sloped ceilings. Some experts don’t trust the efficacy of doing this, as the fan may just cool the air too much, but try it out on a low speed, and see if it warms the room. In my experience from harsh Iowa winters, it definitely works.

 

Warm The Person, Not The House

Indulge in some quality slippers, a comfy throw on the sofa, a down comforter. Avoid heating unused rooms; focus on the spaces in which you spend time: bedroom, bathroom and family spaces.

 

Professional Fire Damage Restoration In Greenville

This winter, if your space heater, oven, or electrical outlets start a fire, you need professional clean up services. In Greenville, Premier Construction is a full-service restoration company dedicated to fire prevention and quality fire cleanup after disasters. The integrity of your property relies on how quickly the restoration process begins after the fire is out; lingering soot and smoke will damage your home even more if not cleaned up right away.

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