The best way to enjoy the cold winter months is to make sure you and your home are prepared for the changing season. You will feel at ease knowing everything is in working order and will appreciate the smoother transition in your monthly bills.
Protect The Inside Of Your Windows And Doors
Check all your windows and doors for gaps, holes, or cracks which could be bringing cold air into your home. The most budget-friendly method to check for drafts is to hold a lighted candle around the edges of all your windows and doors. If the flame flickers and bends toward you, then you know there is a draft coming in from outside. You can install weather stripping around all your doors and windows, or you can test for drafts and install around the biggest culprits. You can also install door sweeps on all your exterior doors which provide extra protection along the bottom of the doors without interrupting their use.
Protect The Outside Of Your Windows And Doors
An added protection against cold air getting into your house is to replace your windows and doors in Ontario from Windtek as they are professionals in manufacturing windows and doors. If you have any window air conditioning units, fall is the time to remove and store them for the winter. If you cannot remove them, then insulate and cover the outside of them to seal up any gaps around the edges.
Check Your Attic And Fireplaces
A fireplace is a great way to enjoy cozy warmth in the winter months, but it can also be the spot where your home loses a lot of its heat. Be sure to check the damper to be certain it provides a full seal before winter begins. During the winter, keep the damper closed when the fireplace is not in use and close it as soon as everything cools down after using it. Heat rises, so your attic is also an important area to address. If your attic is not insulated, this change can make a big impact. If it is already insulated, fall is a good time to plug up any holes or gaps in the insulation.
Check Your Roof
Ahead of winter, it is also a good idea to check out the status of your roof. If there are any holes or missing slates, you are going to want to fix them as soon as possible, because should it rain heavily, you could end up with a leak, or if it snows, your roof could collapse. A good ice dam removal company can help you prevent this by removing ice and snow from the roof, but the stronger your roof is in the first place, the better it will be for you and your home.
Do Not Forget About Your HVAC System
It is important to make sure your HVAC system is ready for the winter ahead. Change your filter regularly, but especially as the fall season changes to winter. This is also a great time to schedule a professional checkup and cleaning for your entire system with a certified technician. You will want to head into winter with your HVAC system in good condition and all components running efficiently. Another great way to save yourself money is to install a programmable thermostat. These allow you to set your preferred temperatures for specific times of day so that your system is turning on and off less frequently, which can prevent you from heating your house when no one is home.
A final tip to try is to turn your ceiling fans to spin clockwise and push the warm air back down into your living spaces. This, along with all the other tips, can help ensure you enjoy a warm home on cold winter nights without worrying about a huge hit to your wallet.
