As Central Florida Battles an Uncharacteristic Cold Blast, Here are a Few Energy-Efficient Tips to Staying Warm

by Melissa Donovan January 29, 2026, 12:45 pm

Central Florida has been hit with abnormal cold blasts and local meteorologists predict freezing temperatures to come in over the weekend.

Used to the Florida heat, preparing for low temperatures may be a big undertaking when it comes to staying warm. OUC- The Reliable One encourages residents to take action when it comes to staying “safe, warm and energy-efficient” in their homes during the cold stretch.

Here are a few tips from OUC to tackle the cold weather, hopefully Central Florida will be back to its sunny and 75-degree norm in no time.

Safety Tips

Ensure space heaters are kept away from carpet, walls and furniture.
Plug into wall outlets rather than extension cords to reduce overheating and fire risk.
Turn off and unplug heaters or heated blankets when not in use and before sleeping.
Do not tuck heated blankets. It could become a fire hazard.
Do not use stoves, ovens or grills to heat up your home as it poses fire and carbon monoxide risks.
Cover outdoor exposed water pipes and spigots to prevent freezing
Keep pool pumps running so supply lines do not freeze.
Insulate pipes connected to solar water heating systems.

Energy Conservation Tips:

Set your home thermostat to 68 degrees or lower and keep the fan setting on “auto.” Turn the temperature down to 65 at bedtime or while away.
Instead of turning up the heat, layer up.
Close blinds and drapes at night to keep cold air out, but open them during the day to bring the sunlight in.
Keep garage doors closed to maintain indoor heat.

For more tips to prepare for the cold weather, visit OUC’s Cold Weather Guide.

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Written by Melissa Donovan

Melissa Donovan is the Content & Creative Development Manager for Central Florida Lifestyle Magazine where she gets to collaborate on bringing new life into local happenings and tell the stories of the people who make Central Florida what it is. She has a bachelor's degree in Print and Digital Journalism from the University of Central Florida and has had her worked featured in Strike Magazine, The Charge, The Orlando Life, and Central Florida Lifestyle Magazine. As a born and bred Orlando native, Melissa enjoys putting her own spin on the daily life of The City Beautiful.

When she is not at her laptop writing her next piece, you can find Melissa traveling the world, watching rom coms on repeat, or indulging in a delicious bowl of pasta.