Preparing your home for the winter shouldn’t be something you should skip out on. Below are a list of helpful tips for preparing your home for the winter season.
Weatherproof your doors and windows.
It’s very important to get ahead of the winter weather. Check your doors and windows closely for gaps and areas that you may feel a draft. Use weatherstripping or caulk to seal them or, if severe enough, consider replacing them.
Reverse your fans.
Turning your fans clockwise is a secret money saver in the winter. It will stop the heat from rising. Most ceiling fans should have a switch for you to flip to reverse it, if not, the switch should be somewhere inside the fan.
Clean your dryer hose.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, U.S. firefighters respond to approximately 14,630 house fires annually that are caused by dryers. Make sure you are cleaning out your lint filter regularly. Also emptying or replacing your dryer hose, and checking the vent and exhaust.
Get an annual fireplace inspection and chimney sweep.
Having an inspection and chimney sweep yearly could save your life. Clogged chimneys lead to house fires but can also cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Make sure that the flue on your chimney is fully functionable so when the fireplace is not in use, you don’t feel any drafts.
Prevent pipes from freezing.
Let the cold water drip from a faucet allowing running water through the pipe, even a trickle helps prevent pipes from freezing. Any pipes exposed to the outside air should be insulated. Be sure you keep the heat on always! By doing so it keeps the pipes warm and prevents them from freezing. Also keeping the thermostat set to the same temperature during the day as well as at night. It also keeps your heating system from working extra hard to heat up the room again.