Heating
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Note the location of the gas shutoff valve for your furnace and water heater to quickly cut fuel during a fire.
Shutting off the gas kills the fuel feeding the fire, preventing the entire house from burning down.
- Does not apply if you do not have gas heating.
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Clean dead leaves and debris from gutters before winter.
This allows water to drain freely and prevents ice dams.
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Cook large roasts, braises, or breads during cold weather to use the residual heat from the oven for home heating while saving money on food.
These dishes often use cheaper cuts of meat and generate significant ambient heat.
- Only safe if using an electric oven; gas ovens pose CO risks.
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Sleep under a cheap vinyl pup tent placed over your bed to retain body heat during power outages or cold nights.
The tent traps body heat, keeping the sleeper warm without additional energy costs.
- Children reportedly enjoy this method.
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Cook food outdoors using a grill or hot plate during heat waves.
Using indoor appliances like ovens adds unwanted heat to the house.
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Consider living in a middle-floor apartment to benefit from natural temperature regulation provided by neighbors above and below.
Heat rises and cold air sinks, keeping the space at a stable temperature year-round and reducing HVAC usage.
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One approach for burning softwood like spruce slabs is to use a flue thermometer to keep a temperature of 500°F, which prevents volatile gases and leaves only fluff in the cleanout.
prevents volatile gases
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Improve home efficiency by sealing windows and door frames with spray foam and sealant instead of closing HVAC vents.
Sealing leaks addresses the root cause of inefficiency more than restricting airflow.
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Before closing vents in unused rooms to save energy, ensure those rooms are not helping to keep pipes from freezing.
One person reported that closing vents in a spare bedroom above a garage caused pipes running underneath to burst because the room no longer provided warmth.
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Ensure mechanical rooms containing gas appliances like water heaters, dryers, and furnaces receive enough fresh air.
Without enough oxygen, the flue can become the source of air, sucking flames outward and igniting nearby materials.
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Purchase high-quality propane or natural gas appliances that feature redundant sensors or controllers.
Redundant safety systems allow one component to shut down the appliance if another fails, preventing potential home destruction.
- Be cautious with gas dryers unless their safety and warranty standards have significantly improved.
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Use a heated throw blanket on low settings on furniture like sofas to stay warm without overheating.
Low settings provide consistent warmth efficiently and are enjoyed by pets.
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If you have never experienced hot water shortages, replace your existing gas tank water heater with a new standard tank model rather than switching technologies.
Newer standard models are better insulated and more efficient due to reduced sediment buildup.
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Hire a licensed professional trained in combustion units to install gas water heaters and request that they test the exhaust flue draft and perform a worst-case scenario ventilation test.
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Set recurring reminders or automatic purchases for furnace air filters to ensure timely replacement.
Prevents forgetting maintenance tasks that impact heating efficiency.
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Insulate unused rooms by covering windows with styrofoam boards or multiple heavy blankets.
Styrofoam is cited as the best and cheapest insulator available, and heavy blankets also provide effective insulation.
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Regularly replace the sacrificial anode rod in your water heater.
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