As cooler temperatures are starting to roll in here in Mississippi, so do shorter days and longer nights. Daylight saving time has ended, and Entergy Mississippi suggests you follow some of these tips to gear up for those cooler temperatures:
- Hire a qualified professional to clean and inspect your furnace or boiler.
- Change your furnace filters once a month during heating season, or consider switching to a permanent filter.
- Check for colder air near doors and windows. Get a draft guard, weather stripping or caulk to fill any gaps.
- Run your fans in reverse. A clockwise rotation will circulate warmer air pooled near the ceiling back into your living space.
- Turn down your thermostat. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends wintertime temperature settings of 68°F during the day, and 60°F to 65°F at night.
In addition to these preparation tips, the National Safety Council suggests that dates of time change are good dates to address indoor safety, such as replacing batteries in smoke detectors and covering your home emergency plans with family. Smoke detectors should be replaced every ten years and carbon monoxide detectors should be replaced every five years, but batteries for both should be replaced every year.
