North Texans are preparing to get a cold blast from around Thursday to Saturday this week.
Night temperatures are expected to get below freezing from Thursday leading into the weekend. The coldest day is expected to be Friday, with a low of 12 degrees Fahrenheit and a high of only 26 degrees.
Luckily, Friday will be the only day in the foreseeable future where the high for the day is below freezing. Though night temperatures are still expected to be below freezing until next Wednesday, Dallas will be at a high of 44 degrees by Sunday.
As in the winter storms in the past few years, the cold can bring on major plumbing and water issues. Be sure to leave cabinets open so that the heat can get to your pipes and leave the faucets dripping. This ensures that the pipes will not freeze and burst.
It is also highly recommended to keep your heat up, especially if you will be out of town for the holidays. CBS reports, somewhere between 72 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal.
As temperatures lower and heaters are turned up, the electricity bill can become a concern.
A Star Air Conditioning and Plumbing has some tips and tricks to keep the house warm without breaking the bank.
The company suggests letting sunlight in during the day by opening shades and letting some natural warmth in. You will want to do the opposite at night and close your blinds and shades to protect your home from the lower night temperatures.
Another tip is to check windows and doors for any flaws in their seal. A great temporary fix is using some caulk or weather strips to seal them.
You can also close the doors or vents of unused rooms to make sure you are not paying for heat that no one is using. Or, a simpler way to save is to turn the thermostat down a smidge and bundle up instead.
Some people may not know that most ceiling fans have a reverse switch, meaning that they go one way for cold air and another for warm. Usually, there will be a switch on the fan that will enable it to turn clockwise and circulate warm air.
Smart thermostats are a more long-term solution that can help save on heating. They learn your schedule and change the temperature accordingly.
The Dallas Express wishes you a warm and cozy holiday.