Things You Do to Stay Warm that Actually Make You Colder in York

November 18, 2015

Winter in York brings cold temperatures that will have you searching for ways to stay warm. Guaranteed ways to stay warm include scheduling regular furnace service and wearing toasty layers of clothes. You’ve probably heard of a lot of other ways to stay warm when the temperatures drop, but beware: a lot of these suggestions are actually myths and could end up making you feel colder!

Common Myths:

  • Hot drinks will make you warmer: Sure, holding a steaming cup of coffee or hot chocolate can warm your hands and you’ll feel like you’re warming up as you sip it. But in reality, the heat of the drink actually prompts your brain to start cooling off your body.
  • Alcoholic drinks will warm you up: Untrue. While alcoholic drinks will make your skin feel warmer, alcohol can actually cause your body’s core temperature to drop. Keeping your furnace well-maintained and functioning smoothly with annual furnace service is a much better way to stay warm.
  • Hot showers heat you up: Sadly, the warmth you feel from a hot shower will leave when you turn off the water. You’ll actually get colder as the water evaporates, which is why many of us struggle to get out of the shower.
  • Wearing a hat will take care of your warming needs: You’ve probably heard this time and time again, but all exposed skin causes heat loss—not just that on your head. If you’re only covering your head and not other areas of exposed skin, you’re going to lose more body heat.

When you see all the false information about staying warm in winter, it’s pretty easy to see how important furnace service is to your comfort. While there are different ways to keep yourself warm besides furnace service, few will have such a big impression on your daily comfort. To learn more about what furnace service can do for you in York, call Strine's Heating & Air Conditioning at 717-383-4479 or schedule an appointment online.