It’s winter in Colorado, which means cold days and colder nights. This is the time of year when we run our heater most of the day and sometimes use secondary heating appliances to keep the cold away. But all of this extra heat has to come from somewhere, which means additional stress on our homes’ electrical systems.
Luckily, it doesn’t have to be this way. With an efficiently operating heating and cooling system, you can efficiently and effectively manage your home’s temperature without adding separate appliances.
Doctor Fix It Plumbing, Heating, Cooling and Electric’s licensed technicians can help design an optimal heating and cooling system that keeps your home at the perfect temperature all year round. Call them today at (303) 993-1550 for a no-charge estimate on any electrical work.
In the meantime, read up on the potential sources of increased electricity, the risks this increased use could pose, and how to keep an eye out for any trouble.
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Using Appliances to Make Up for Inefficient Heaters
Winters in Colorado can be frigid, especially at night. In homes where the heater isn’t functioning efficiently, you may be tempted to keep cranking up the heat to warm things up. Some people use secondary devices like space heaters or electric blankets or even leave the oven on with the door open. These things, especially leaving an operating oven open in the kitchen, are inefficient and can pose risks. Electric blankets are generally safe unless there’s damage to the blanket or its cord. However, space heaters can be a fire hazard if you don’t use them properly, and leaving an oven door open comes with obvious risks of tripping and falling into a hot oven and creating a fire hazard.
Safe Heating Appliance Use
It’s not impossible to use some secondary heating devices safely. With space heaters, for example, make sure you read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully and use the unit only in line with those instructions. Make sure you place the unit far away from anything flammable. In addition, pay attention to the outlets you’re using. Overloaded outlets can cause ground fault interrupters and breakers to trip and cause other issues for you and your family. If you use a power strip, place it out of the way, where it’s not a tripping hazard, and keep it away from water.
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Avoiding Power Outages
Power outages are another common problem in the winter for homes with inefficient or poorly functioning electrical systems. Inclement weather like high wind or heavy snow is typically the catalyst for a power outage, but leaving a system to operate inefficiently leaves a bigger opening for the weather to impact your home. Depending on what kind of appliances you have, a power outage could leave you without heat, a working stove or oven, or hot water—or even an inability to switch on the lights or the television.
Knowing When to Call a Pro
The average person may not have a good sense of the indicators of a poorly performing heating and cooling system. When the heater doesn’t seem to be working, you may resolve to turn up the heat, add another blanket, or maybe purchase a space heater. But the truth is that if you’re turning to a space heater, odds are that your heating and cooling systems aren’t working as they should. Not only is it more expensive to operate these secondary units while also keeping the heat cranked up, but it can also be unsafe and is environmentally unsustainable.
Stay Warm All Winter with Doctor Fix It Plumbing, Heating, Cooling and Electric
Doctor Fix It Plumbing, Heating, Cooling and Electric’s team of knowledgeable, trained experts is ready to make sure your water heater is ready for the winter. Contact your Denver-area Doctor Fix It Plumbing, Heating, Cooling and Electric location at (303) 993-1550 to schedule an appointment for a no-charge electrical estimate today!
