As cooler weather approaches, it’s important to think about beginning to prepare your home for winter. Waiting until it’s only 25 degrees outside can lead to damage and make winter a lot less enjoyable. Here are four things you should do to prepare your home before the cold sets in.
Check Your Heating System
Obviously, once the weather becomes cold, you’re going to need heat in your home. Be sure to do a test run to ensure that everything is working properly and have an expert come out and perform a seasonal check up on your heating system. This is also a good time to replace the air filter and check propane levels. It’s also important to move anything that may be blocking your vents to ensure that warm air will circulate your home properly. Throughout this process, be sure to check for carbon monoxide leaks as well. This means double-checking your carbon monoxide detectors and replacing batteries. Do the same for your smoke detectors while you’re at it.
Perform Air Conditioning Maintenance
While this may seem odd, late fall is one of the best times to perform maintenance on your air conditioning system as well. Be sure to clean the unit and work to remove any dirt and debris that may be stuck to the fans. Once the unit is clean, you should ensure that it is covered so that it doesn’t rust or become damaged by leaves and other debris that fall into it. If your unit is mounted in your window, you should simply remember to remove it and store it in a safe place when you are finished using it for the summer. AC repair is something a lot of people forget and regret it the next summer when services are in high demand and the heat is rising.
Check Your Fireplace
While it’s not a priority during the summer, your fireplace will be extremely valuable to you in the winter months. Unfortunately, while also a source of warmth, the fireplace can also cause cold air to seep into your home. Be sure to perform a bit of maintenance on your fireplace before you need to rely on it to heat your home. Before winter hits, the fireplace should be cleaned, checked for nests, and thoroughly inspected by you or a professional. It’s recommended to have a professional inspect your fireplace because they can identify early signs of damage or potential risks. A fireplace is a wonderful feature, but it must be used safely and responsibly.
Seal Your Doors and Windows
Doors and windows can also cause your home to be drafty if they are not sealed properly. This can jack up your heating bill each month. When the weather starts to get chilly, check your windows and doors for drafts. To fix drafty windows, simply use a bit of rope caulk around the seals. If you’re experiencing a draft from your doors, the best option to fix this is by adding or replacing the weather stripping.
Winter can be brutal, especially if you are not prepared. Be sure to follow these four steps to ensure your home is ready to brave the cold and keep you warm all winter long.
