When you’re enjoying the last few days of summer or
welcoming fall, preparing your home for colder weather may not be at the top of
your to-do list. But if you want your home to be prepared for everything that
winter will throw its way, it’s important to get started well before
temperatures start to drop.
With colder temperatures and winter weather on the way,
we’ve compiled a checklist for homeowners to prep their homes for the coming
season. Keep reading to make sure your own home is ready.
How to Prepare Your Home for
Winter
Let’s
take a closer look at a few ways you can effectively winterize your home to
prevent damage, lower heating bills, and ensure that your family is comfortable
all season long.
1. Service Your Heating System
Nothing can be more comforting
on a cold winter’s night than snuggling up on the couch in front of the heating
system. But what if your heater isn’t functioning well?
With winter approaching
quickly, there’s no better time to check over your heating system. If you have
an HVAC unit, regularly change the filters and have the unit serviced by a
professional at least once every year. This small investment of time and money
can help you stay warm and comfortable, and can ultimately reduce your heating
bill.
2. Check for Window Leaks
Inspect your windows for gaps and
air leaks as winter drafts can cause the warm indoor air to escape outside and,
consequently, increase your energy bill.
According to the US Energy
Department, reducing drafts can lower your energy bills by 10 to 20 percent annually. Consider adding weather
stripping along the sides of the window sashes or use caulk to fill any gaps.
If your windows are particularly drafty, it might be time to consider upgrading
them.
3. Trim Tree Limbs or Branches
In the event of a winter
storm, tree branches hanging over your roof can fall on it, causing great
damage to your property. Moreover, protruding branches can cause surplus water
to trickle into cracks in the roof or siding.
Now is a great time to trim
any low-hanging trees. Ensure that any tree branches surrounding your house are
at least three feet away from the building.
4. Inspect Your Home’s Insulation
It’s important to check your
insulation and decide whether it’s time for replacement before cold weather
strikes. If you’ve noticed that your walls seem drafty, or your energy bills
have been creeping higher year after year, it could mean that the insulation in
your walls and ceilings is in need of an update.
You also need to insulate
your home’s duct system. In some houses, as much as 20 percent of heat is lost through
leaks in the ductwork. We recommend hiring a professional to insulate and seal
ductwork throughout your home — an enhancement that can lower your energy costs
by about $400 every year.
5. Check Your Fireplace
If your home has one, visually
inspect the fireplace, both inside and outside your home, to make sure that it
is in good condition before you use it for the season. When inspecting
outdoors, check that there is no debris accumulation or bird nests near the
cap. Chimney bricks should not be crumbling or missing. Plus, the top of the
chimney should be beveled to support air circulation. Inside your home in the
chimney shaft, there should not be any combustible materials, such as animal
nests, or other external objects in the vent.
If you have reason to think that
there could be an destruction in your chimney, its a good idea to schedule a
cleaning by a professional before winter arrives.
6. Cover Up Hardwood Flooring
If your home has tile,
hardwood, or concrete flooring, rugs are a simple and effective way to make
your space cozy and comfortable in the cold season. Hardwood floors are not
only chilly underfoot in winter, but they also do not help retain any heat.
Adding rugs can help you retain more of the conditioned air in your home.
7. Clean Up Downspouts and Rain
Gutters
Blocked downspouts or
rain gutters can damage the foundation of your house or cause ice dams,
resulting in costly repairs. After the leaves have fallen, clear out your rain
gutters to get rid of leaves, branches, and muck. You should also ensure that
the gutters are not drooping and trapping water. Consider tightening downspout
brackets and gutter hangers and replacing any tattered or dented materials.
Keep Your Home Winter-Proof with Superior
As our lifestyles naturally change with the seasons, so
should our homes. The good news is that there are several quick and easy
upgrades you can make to ensure your space remains warm and comfortable all
winter long.
Our experts at Superior
Insealators can evaluate your home and make sure that its properly
insulated. With the right type of insulation, we can help you save on your
energy costs and keep your family warm. We have specialized equipment that
allows us to install insulation in any area of your house — whether it’s an
unvented attic, crawl space, or a home theater. Get in touch today to request a free estimate.
