Surviving winters without prior arrangements can be very tough. It may seem manageable initially; however, falling temperatures may put you in an uncomfortable situation. From morning fog and short days to dark, lonely nights, winters can take a toll on your routine. Therefore, before the season arrives, you should prepare yourself and your house to face the season ahead of time.
10 Ways to Winterize Your Home
Preparing for the winter season can put a dent in your wallet; hence, it is crucial to work according to your budget. Be it an expensive room heater or lavish indoor fireplaces, planning for winter requires excessive money. However, the good news is that you can easily upgrade your home at an affordable cost to make it winter-friendly. Here is a list of 10 practical and convenient ways to winterize your home.
1. Seal Your Doors and Windows
During the cold season, you should take the necessary actions to keep your indoors warm. By shutting all the doors and windows, you can prevent your indoor temperature from dropping low. For best results, you need to lock your doors and Windows. Be sure that your windows remain sealed well, and no gap would draw coldness inside your home.
2. Insulate Hot-Water Pipes
You can minimize heat loss, save energy and heating costs by insulating hot water pipes at your home. This way, the water within pipes will remain hot and you won’t have to wait for it to heat up while taking a shower.
3. Check the Roof of Your House
To ensure that there is no chance of leakage in your ceiling, you should clean the gutters on the roof of your house. See if there is any hole or space within your roof that would pave the way for the snow or cold air. If you notice any cracks, use acrylic-latex caulk to lock the gap. You can also use expanding foam sealant to bind the roof. Moreover, be sure to install leaf guards inside unclogged gutters on your roof to reduce the chance of leaves getting trapped inside the gutters.
4. Seal Your Chimney
Having a chimney inside your kitchen may contribute to heat loss. This may happen if you don't use a fireplace damper. Hence, it would be best to seal your chimney with a fireplace draft stopper to prevent any further energy loss during the cold days of the season.
5. Install Storm Windows
If your home is susceptible to harsh weather conditions during winter, you can take a step further to ensure it stays warm inside. Installing storm windows can save you from feeling uncomfortable due to excessive coldness. They are inserted over the existing windows from the outside to protect the indoor environment against cold weather that may lead to rain, snow, and wind.
6. Reverse Your Ceiling Fans
If your ceiling fan has a reverse switch on it, you can make use of it to turn the fan on in a reverse direction. Typically, a fan runs in an anti-clockwise rotation. However, a reverse fan provides the option of rotating clockwise to circulate the warm air throughout the room. With the help of a reverse fan, your heating costs can significantly reduce every month.
7. Shop for Winter Essentials
Before the winter season arrives, make sure to should gather all the winter essentials for your home, such as shovels and deicing salt. Check if your heater’s thermostat is working properly. If it doesn't, you should consider buying a programmable thermostat to set up the temperature on your heater. You can also connect it to your phone to start the heater before you reach home. By doing so, you can significantly reduce your utility bills every month.
8. Check Your Water Supply Pipelines
Usually, hot water supply runs through the pipes situated along the exterior walls. It may indicate that the piping hot water can instantly turn cold. Hence, you don't need to use a heater on your faucet while taking showers or using the kitchen sink.
9. Drain Water from Your Outdoors
Whether you have left behind stagnant water after washing your car or cleaned the outdoor area with a pressure washer, be sure to drain all the water standing on the ground. Check your garden hoses if it contains water inside as it may burst your hose with the pressure once it turns cold outside. By emptying the accumulated water from the pipe, you can significantly increase its longevity.
10. Change the Furnace Filters
Your furnace filters are prone to clog with dirt and debris during winters. Hence, you should change its air filter once every two months to facilitate fresh airflow. You can contact professional HVAC services to tune up your furnace filters for better performance.
It's fun to grab a cup of hot chocolate while staying indoors during a snowfall. Apart from taking out your warm clothes and fuzzy blankets, you can indulge in a few activities to prepare for the winter using the above-listed ways. It will help you stay comfy and cozy within your home.