Freezing temperatures in the Dayton area can make your home too chilly for your pets. However, too much heated air can make your home too dry, which can lead to skin irritation and other problems for your pets. Keep the following indoor heating tips in mind to maintain a comfortable home this winter.
Temperature Settings
There are different factors that can affect how warm you should keep your house for your pets. Younger pets and senior pets typically need slightly warmer indoor temperatures to feel comfortable. Pets with certain health conditions, such as chronic joint pain, usually need warmer temperatures as well.
Pets that are smaller, such as cats and small dog breeds, can get colder faster than larger pets. If you have smaller pets, you should plan on raising your thermostat a few degrees.
Pets that have a double coat or a thick coat have an easier time staying warm inside than those that have thinner coats. Don’t put your thermostat up too high if you have pets with more fur.
Pets that are overweight tend to need lower indoor heating compared to pets that are at a healthy weight. Putting the thermostat up too high can make obese or overweight pets uncomfortably warm.
Ideally, you should aim to keep your thermostat set between 68 and 72 degrees during winter. You can turn it down to save on energy at certain times, such as at night, but don’t put it below 60 degrees.
Dry Air
When your furnace or heat pump runs during winter, it can make the air in your home dry. Your pets can end up with health problems, such as skin problems, if the air becomes too dry. Check the humidity level in your home. If it’s too low, consider using a humidifier to keep the air in your home humid enough to ensure that your pets stay comfortable all season long.
If you need any help with indoor heating this winter, contact Ace Hardware Home Services. We can provide you with maintenance, repairs or installations for your Dayton home.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Dayton, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
