Stay Warm This Winter For No Extra Cost With The Help Of A Kitchen Essential

The coldest months of the year could often make you choose between discomfort and high energy bills. The National Energy Assistance Directors Association (NEADA) estimates an average increase of 7.6% in home heating costs compared to last year, as a result of rising energy prices. In an effort to warm the house, people look for practically free tricks for staying warm and cozy. Turns out, you can stay warm this winter for no extra cost with the help of your oven.

The thermostat isn't the only equipment you can turn to for increasing warmth in the house. Small amounts of warmth from appliances and even the steam from your shower can keep your house warm and cozy without adjusting the thermostat. After you finish cooking dinner, leave the oven door open to allow the heat from the appliance to warm the air in your home.

We know that cooking warms the kitchen because we've all felt the heat when preparing a large meal. This can be miserable in the summer but welcome in winter. The oven is hot after cooking or baking, and leaving the door closed while it cools down wastes that warmth at a time when your home could use it. When you have finished baking or making dinner, leave the oven door open so the residual heat can warm the kitchen.

While the heat from the open oven door can warm the kitchen, there are some important precautions that should be taken. Leaving the oven door open with the oven turned on can be extremely dangerous and create a potential fire hazard. Note that we aren't suggesting using your oven as a heat source, but allowing the heat from the oven to warm the space after you have finished cooking.

A gas oven door should be left closed to avoid carbon monoxide build-up inside the house. When the door is closed, the gas is vented outdoors. If you have an electric oven, keep in mind that the oven and door are extremely hot, even after you turn it off. An open door can create a risk of burns should a child or pet accidentally touch the door or trip and fall on it.

As long as the electric oven is turned off and you take a few precautions, you can enjoy the increase in warmth at no extra cost to your energy bills. Make sure no people or pets are in the kitchen during the time the oven door is open. Be mindful of the proximity of your thermostat to the kitchen, too. For the most savings, many set the thermostat to 68 degrees. However, if the thermostat is located near the oven, the extra warmth can cause it to think the house is warmer, which can cause the heat to turn off.