In many areas of the world, the winter months bring with it some very chilly temperatures and inclement weather conditions that could force you to spend a lot of time indoors. However, if your home isn’t prepared and maintained, it can wind up getting unbearably cold indoors. Fortunately, you can keep your home comfortable throughout the cold months if you utilize the following winter checklist.
Make Sure Your Roof Is in Good Shape
Because heat rises, if your roof isn’t in good shape, you’ll never be able to keep your home comfortably warm when the temperatures start to dip outside. Before the worst of winter hits, it’s a good idea to inspect your roof to see if there are any missing shingles. If you do notice that your roof doesn’t look to be in the best of shape, you should have it repaired right away. This can also help protect your home from water damage, structural damage, pests, and other issues. Ice and snow can do a lot of damage, so continue to keep an eye on the roof throughout the season.
Get Furnace Repair Done
Your furnace is what keeps your home warm and toasty throughout the winter. Because you probably haven’t used it in a while, you should turn it on to see if it’s working properly even if you don’t need to use it right now. If it’s in need of furnace repair, you should get that done soon so that it’s ready to go when you need to use it. Getting your furnace fixed up before temperatures dip can also save you money on the overall repair cost.
Check Your Windows
A lot of individuals have an issue keeping their home at a comfortable temperature because their windows are old and no longer in good shape. If there are cracks in the glass or if they have missing or damaged seals, your windows won’t be able to keep cold air out and warm air in. Fortunately, most window repairs can be completed fairly quickly. While broken glass will likely need to be replaced by a professional, you can likely repair seals or cracks around window frames on your own with some caulk. This is a task that you can easily complete on your winter checklist in as little as a few hours.
Install a Thermostat That You Can Program
A programmable thermostat can prove to be very beneficial. You can set it to heat your home during certain times. This will ensure that you don’t come home to a house that is chilly after a long day at work while also ensuring that you are wasting power heating an empty house. Many individuals do find that they can save money on their heating bill just by installing a programmable thermostat in their home. Most homeowners can tackle this project on their own.
Winter will be here before you know it. Before it arrives, you need to make sure that your home is ready for all of the cold weather that’s likely to come your way. By utilizing the winter checklist above,you can help your home stay comfortable throughout the coldest months of the year.