Relearning ways to stay warm

Thursday, February 1, 2007

Special to the Daily Mail

Living in the climate controlled comfort of modern homes and apartments, Americans quickly forget how the forces of nature can impact our lives.

"But recently, nature seems to be getting our attention through our utility bills and when we seek shelter from a storm," said Jeff Barber, housing and environmental design specialist, University of Missouri Extension. "These factors make this a good time to remember past lessons about staying warm and how we might apply them to our homes and lifestyles."

First, get out of the wind. Finding and stopping drafts can have rapid results in increasing comfort.

"The use of movable insulating shutters, weather stripping and even plastic sheeting can keep the cold air of leaky doors and widows out of our interior climate," said Barber.

Second, bundle up to keep warm.

Verifying that a home has a minimum of 12 inches or R-30 in the attic is a quick and relatively low-cost way to realize warmth.

Many homes built before the late 1940's may have walls that are not insulated. Expert recommend that wall insulation should be a minimum of R-19 but is difficult to increase without significant work and cost.

"By wearing layered clothing, fashionable stocking caps, blankets and shawls one can quickly find comfort that may be too expensive to buy with our furnace," said Barber.

Third, warm up with the sun.

By opening drapes and shades on south facing widows during sunny days, homeowners can use the abundantly free energy of the sun to warm their homes.

"The use of insulating curtains or shutters at night can help us retain this wonderful warming," said Barber.

And fourth, when all else fails, build a fire. "This can seem like a huge step backward for many that have been lured to the luxury of converting a fireplace with gas logs," said Barber.

The prospect of buying wood, stacking it, carrying it inside and dealing with the mess can be overwhelming. But the good news is that the fireplace industry has been very responsive to the "baby boomer" consumer by developing pellets and grain stoves.

"Just remember that if you choose to find warmth by the fireplace that annual flue inspections and cleaning must be budgeted. Failure to do so can be disastrous," said Barber.

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