As winter approaches, homeowners should start taking steps to prepare their homes. Your home needs to be prepared against the incoming low temperatures, winds, snow, and ice. You want to stay warm and cozy during the winter months, but you also want to save energy and cut down on heating bills. Check out these 6 tips to winterize your home.
1.Weatherproof Your Home
Weatherproof your home by installing storm doors and windows. This step will ensure that warm air does not escape from your home. Allowing the warm air to escape will lower the temperature of your home, leading to a feeling of discomfort. It will also cause your heating bills to skyrocket. Weatherproofing your home will lower your home’s heating bills. You can also use door sweeps to keep cold air out of your home.
2.Check the Fireplace
Get your fireplace inspected before starting the first fire of the season. Creosote buildup or animal nests inside the fireplace may be hazardous. Have a chimney sweep thoroughly clean out the fireplace and remove soot and 碎片 from it. 也, vacuum or sweep out accumulated ash from within the firebox.
3.Clean Gutters
Make sure your home’s gutters are clean before the advent of winter. It’s good practice to clean out all gutters as soon as the autumn leaves stop falling. This will prevent the gutters from clogging with leaves and 碎片. Clean gutters ensure that accumulated snow melts and drains properly. If you want to avoid having to clean your gutters, invest in gutter guards. Gutter guards are usually made of stainless steel and keep leaves, 碎片, 毅力, and pine needles from getting stuck in the gutters.
4.Invest in a Programmable Thermostat
A programmable thermostat lets you control your heating system. You can customize your heating so it does not have to run when it’s not needed. The Department of Energy suggests keeping your thermostat at 68 degrees when you are at home. When you are out or sleeping, you can lower the thermostat.
5.Maintain Outdoor Equipment
Before the frigid temperatures approach, make sure you maintain and store all your outdoor equipment. Outdoor equipment like mowers should be cleaned and stored. 也, if you have any outdoor furniture or grills, store them in the basement as snow and ice can damage them. If you have a gas grill and propane tank, disconnect the tank and close the valve. You can store both these items outside. 也, purchase covers to ensure protection from the elements.