Talking About HVAC

Posted on: 26 May 2015

When the temperatures begin to drop, you probably try to find every imaginable way to stay warm. However, there are a few things that you may be doing that are actually making you feel colder. Read on to learn what four of these common misconceptions are:

1. Consuming Hot Drinks.

From hot cocoa and tea to coffee and apple cider, you would think these warm liquids would warm you up. However, one neuroscientist says that these warm drinks may have the exact opposite effect. This is because of the receptor in your tongue that relays info to the brain to switch on a cooling mechanism – sweating, which helps cool you down.

2. Consuming Alcoholic Beverages.

While glasses of wine and eggnog are common during winter holidays, the alcohol lowers your body temperature, which increases your risk of hypothermia, according to a piece in the New York Times. Usually, blood flows into the organs rather than into the skin, but it's the other way when you're drinking alcohol. With more blood in the skin, the body's core temperature drops significantly.

3. Wearing a Hat.

Many believe that most of one's body heat is lost through the head, so all that is needed to stay warm is to wear a hat of some sort. However, a professor from the University of Michigan says otherwise. He says the loss of body heat is relative to the amount of skin exposed and not a particular body part. Plus, science reports that you lose no more than 10 percent of heat through your head. Therefore, you can wear a hat, but make certain you have as much skin as possible covered to keep your body temperature up or you will still feel cold.

4. Taking a Hot Shower.

It's true that taking a hot shower is going to warm you up. However, the moment you step out of the water, the heat that your body had absorbed from the hot water is going to leave the body. The water on the skin will evaporate, which causes your body temperature to go down. It is very similar to sweating, except it is quicker and much more noticeable.

Although you've probably fell for one or two of these myths at one time or another in your life, you will hopefully never fall for them again now that you know the truth. Your best bet to stay warm is to ensure that you schedule an inspection of your heating unit prior to winter to ensure it is up for the task of keeping your home warm and comfortable. To learn more, speak with a business like Comfort Heating & Air Conditioning, LLC.