There’s only one thing worse than shoveling snow: not being able to warm up inside afterward! With the winter weather settled in and here to stay, there are a handful of things you should do to keep your home properly insulated and protected from the cold. We’re going over eight tips you can use to help keep your house warm and free from damage this winter.
The Risks of Not Preparing Your Home for Winter
Many homeowners don’t carry out any pre-winter maintenance on their homes, but they often come to regret it. Things like drafts, slowly leaking pipes, and boilers that aren’t running efficiently may not be the biggest concerns when the weather is warm, but they can lead to significant issues in the winter months.
Neglecting to prepare for the winter can leave you without heat or with property damage that is often very expensive to repair.
Tricks to Help Keep Your Home Warm
So, how do you avoid losing your heat and having to carry out those repairs? Use the eight tricks below!
1 – Weatherstripping
Weatherstripping is a rubber or felt material that gets installed around doors and windows to stop cold air from coming in. It can become worn down over time, so replace weatherstripping wherever damaged or around any opening where you feel a draft.
2 – Install Door Sweeps
Installing door sweeps can help reduce cold air from getting in under your doors. These are very straightforward to place and are most useful on hallway doors near your home’s entrances.
3 – Insulate Your Attic
Since heat naturally rises, installing insulation rolls or blown-in insulation in your attic can help stop warm air from escaping your home’s interior.
4 – Plug Household Leaks
Next, inspect the exterior walls of your home for any areas through which cold air could leak. The most likely places of entry are foundation cracks, around appliance or boiler vents, the places where utility lines exit your home, and around windows or doors. Apply caulk or expandable foam insulation to stop airflow.
5 – Insulate Hot Water Heater
If your water heater isn’t pre-insulated or tankless, adding a layer of insulation around the outside of the tank will help slow heat loss from your hot water. This will help provide more hot water for use in showers and sinks and reduce the energy cost of heating your water.
6 – Use Window Coverings
Surprisingly, windows are responsible for some of the fastest heat loss in your home. Something as simple as covering your windows with drapes, curtains, or shades can help prevent heat from escaping your home.
7 – Replace Furnace Filters
You can also help keep your house warm and reduce energy costs by keeping your furnace running as efficiently as possible. Replace your filters once a month to keep efficiency high.
8 – Get Your Furnace Serviced
Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, get your furnace serviced. A properly running furnace will extend its life, keep your home warmer, and cut down on energy bills. Contact one of our certified experts to get your system inspected and serviced to help it run smoothly and reduce the chance of losing heat this winter.
