Now that it is November, the cold weather is quickly coming to stay for the next few months. This is especially true when you live in areas in the northern part of the country. Keeping your home warm during the cold weather season is extremely important as it will ensure the comfort of you and your family throughout the winter. Here are steps you can take toward to make sure your home is warm.
Begin Winterizing Your Home in the Summer
The sooner you take measures to winterize your home, the better. It can reduce to the cost of heating and ensure that you will be comfortable once the weather starts growing cooler. This means adding weather stripping and caulk to windows to avoid drafts, adding weather stripping around doors leading outside and adding insulation to your attic to ensure that it holds the heat. Do all of these things in the summer.
Install or Put Down Storm Windows
If you don’t already have storm windows, you would be wise to buy some and add them to your home. If you already have storm windows, put them down and lock your windows to keep the cold weather out. You can also winterize your windows if you don’t have the type that can handle storm windows. To do that, you can simply use winter plastic wrap and weather tape to seal and insulate the windows. Cut the plastic to the proper size and tape it down over each window. Use a hair dryer to heat the plastic to shrink it.
Reverse the Direction of Your Ceiling Fan
If you have any ceiling fans, reverse the direction in which it runs. This provides the opposite effect of what a ceiling fan achieves during warm weather. In other words, when it runs in the opposite direction, it will circulate warm air throughout the area.
Clean Your Furnace and Have it Inspected
Your furnace should always be inspected and cleaned at least once before the upcoming cold season. The best time to clean it is in late summer or sometime during the fall before the weather gets cold. A buildup of debris can have a twofold effect – it can prevent your furnace from functioning properly and can be a fire hazard. Companies like Eagar Heating and Cooling, a heating repair company in American Fork can do a thorough inspection to ensure that your furnace is in tip-top shape.
Clean the Rain Gutters
Cleaning the rain gutters around your home is essential because a buildup of debris and water can eventually cause damage to your roof and sidings. You can do this yourself or hire a professional to do the work. Doing it yourself is cheaper but requires the right supplies, including a ladder, garden hose, bucket, and trowel and gutter sealant.
Turn off Outdoor Faucets
It is important to turn off any faucets outside your home, such as the one for your garden hose. The pipes can burst if any excess water freezes during cold weather, which can leave a big mess and considerable expenses. Disconnect your hose and drain out any excess water.
These are steps that are absolutely essential for preparing your home for colder weather. You will save money and energy and feel more comfortable throughout the winter season as a result.
