If you haven’t felt it already, winter is fast approaching. Don’t fret however, there is still plenty of time to begin winter proofing your house. Here are 7 of our cost effective tips to help get your home and your family winter ready:
Evaluate your home’s current heating situation
There’s nothing better than coming home from a chilly day to the comfort and warmth of your home. This may come from your air conditioner, fireplace or electric heater, each having their own benefits.
If you feel that your current situation is a bit lacking, or you plan on hosting more people than usual this winter, then consider upgrading your heating system. A toasty fireplace can provide an opening atmosphere with its heat, keeping all your guests cozy!
Make your home heat ready
No matter what heating system you have, you want to make sure that the heat stays in and the cold stays out. Taking early preparations can help save money on heating in the long run. Start by checking for any gaps around doorways and windows. Slim seams could compromise the heat and allow for cool air to blow in, forcing your heating system to work harder, and end up costing more.
It’s best to start caulking these seams as soon as you find them. Any cracked paint on timber should also be scraped off and repainted to help stop the wood from rotting, as replacing that wood can be an excruciating process for both DIY enthusiasts and professionals alike.
Keep your home insulated
Insulated curtain fabric is another effective way to keep the cold out from the windows. This will help each room feel as warm as it should be, and will help reduce the strain of some heating systems.
Foam insulation can also be effective for any holes or gaps in the walls.
Maintain your heating system – Air conditioning
Your heating system does a great job of looking after you, shielding you from the cold. But how often do you look after it? Regular maintenance can go a long way for the preservation of its lifecycle.
With air-conditioning, you should at least change the filters every few months to keep them going strong. At best, schedule a professional to do a full inspection so you’re winter ready.
Maintain your heating system – Fireplaces
If you own a fireplace, you know how great they can be. They become even better when you keep them maintained. A happy fireplace can keep you warm for many many years. You should be cleaning a fireplace out roughly once a year depending on your usage.
Cleaning out your fireplace can be dangerous, and requires you to do some prep beforehand. Not to mention, it can be dangerous for your health when done poorly. You should talk to the professionals when it comes to fireplace cleaning, as they can get it spick in span with low risk.
Purchasing a fireplace
If you don’t own a fireplace, why not? Fireplaces can be powered by gas or wood and can breathe new life to your living room. There are a variety of fireplaces available in a range of styles for all types of locations. One of the most popular being the Lopi wood fireplaces, which hosts a great viewing area and distributes a huge heating capacity around the home.
You can also have a fireplace insert into a masonry (brick/stone wall), for a more seamless experience.
Have scheduled maintenance
Both fireplaces and air conditioners should have scheduled preventative maintenance done to ensure they are kept in ideal condition. A fully functioning heating system is your most powerful tool against the cold, and no one wants to deal with a repair during winter.
With early planning and preparation, you can rest assured that you’ll be kept warm and toasty for this winter and future winters to come!
