How to Keep Warm During the 'Polar Plunge'

We’re in for some record-breaking cold this holiday weekend, forecasters say. Temperatures throughout the Philadelphia region will plummet to below zero with the wind chill.

PECO offers the following tips for maximizing your home’s heat without breaking the bank:

• Keep thermostats set at a constant, comfortable level. Lower thermostats a few degrees when sleeping or when out for more than a few hours.
• Do not block air flow. Make sure your furniture and drapes are not blocking heating vents.
• Take advantage of natural sunlight. Open curtains and drapes during the day to let the sun warm your home and close them at night for insulation.
• Do not heat unused areas. Close vents in unused rooms and shut doors to unused rooms, closets and basements.
• Keep the heat in. Check for drafts around windows and doors, and seal any openings with weather stripping or even a rolled up blanket. A drafty house lets warm air escape and is much more costly to keep warm – especially on the coldest days of the season.
• Change your furnace filter regularly. A dirty filter forces the furnace to work harder.
• Have the furnace inspected by a licensed professional to ensure it is operating efficiently and to seal any leaks in furnace ducts.
• Never use an oven or other cooking device as a heat source for your home.

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