You don’t have to be a DIY expert to get your home prepped for the winter, in fact – a few minor home improvements could be enough to save you hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars in the oncoming chill. Following are just some of the things that you should consider.
1. Tune Up Your HVAC System
About 30% of the average energy costs of any home are associated with heating, and this number can grow even larger if you fail to properly maintain your HVAC system. A professional tune up is a marvelous way to prevent damage over the winter months, cut down on energy, and ensure that the air inside of your home remains healthy for yourself and your family.
Getting quality HVAC service should be number one on your list of priorities as we move into winter, especially considering the fact that you’re going to be needing the heat more than ever as the snow starts to fall.
Your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning unit is one of the number one elements in ensuring that you and your family can continue to live comfortable lives. Not only does it literally clean the air that you’ll be breathing, but it also helps to regulate temperatures within your home, meaning that you won’t have to struggle when it comes to the big freeze.
2. Deep Clean, Declutter, and Perform Basic Maintenance
Once you’re sure that your HVAC system is running as it should be, it’s time to make sure that the inside of your house is totally prepared for winter. In addition to typically cleaning, try steaming the carpets and polishing the furniture to ensure everything is clean and organized.
Get rid of any clutter that could be hanging around and simply taking up space by organizing piles into categories of "Keep", "Donate", and "Trash". When your house is clean and tidy, the chances are that you’ll find it much easier to move through each room of your home and check that all of the various appliances and conveniences are working as they should be.
Make sure that your heating system, dryer, washer, dishwasher, and any other vital appliances are in working condition as quickly as possible. After all, there’s nothing worse than having guests over to the holiday season just to realize suddenly that you’re dealing with a broken appliances. At the same time, make sure that any half-done jobs are completed before winter rolls in. That means cleaning out the gutters, fixing cracks in cement, and filling any gaps that might be letting cold air in through the doors and windows.
While you are working on the exterior of your home, it is also a good time to think about your holiday display. Hanging temporary string lights every year can be a difficult and risky chore in freezing weather.
Many homeowners now choose permanent lighting solutions that stay on the house year-round. These systems are built to withstand rain and snow while remaining invisible during the day. You can control them with a simple app to change colors for any season or event. This change saves you time and keeps you off a shaky ladder when the holidays arrive.
3. Add Extra Insulation
Although you may find that much of the heating you lose in your home may be due to cracks around your windows and doors, you should also consider the values of adding extra insulation around your home. Check around your house for areas that may be allowing the outside cold into your living space, and remember that anywhere there is something that penetrates the wall, there may be a small air leak.
Seal any penetrations throughout your home with expanding foam, but stay away from a gas flue if you want to avoid fire hazards.
You may also find that it’s worth getting an expert in to check the foundation of the house, and fill in any forgotten cracks in the crawlspace. Note any areas where you might feel a slight breeze in your property, or notice a small amount of daylight passing through.
Remember, if it’s the doors and windows that are causing problems in your home, adding some caulking around drafty areas can help. However, if the windows and doors need replacing, then caulk won’t be enough to fix the problem by itself.
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