Getting your home ready for winter? A few things need your attention the most to ensure you enjoy a comfortable temperature all winter long. Here are some suggestions of items to put on your winter readiness checklist.
Once you’re done, you’ll have a happy, healthy, and warm home.
1. Doors and Windows Inspection
For a pleasant ambient temperature that you can control, you must ensure your home is adequately sealed. If your home isn’t sealed correctly, it takes more energy to keep it heated. That’s why it’s essential to check the doors and windows for any gaps.
You can perform this inspection yourself or have it done by professionals. Be prepared to re-caulk some doors or fill some gaps here and there. If you’d prefer someone do that for you, you can have them perform the inspection as well.
2. Water Heater Installation
Cold showers in the winter aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, especially for small children. A water heater becomes essential for any home or business in the winter. However, don’t be tempted to install your heater yourself; trust a professional instead.
Professionals do this kind of work every day and uphold a standard of quality. They can help you select the best kind of heater for your needs and situation after taking everything into account. Also, they know the best products and materials for the job. So opt for a professional water heater installation.
3. Pipes Insulation
The pipes may be the last thing that comes to your mind about your home. However, they can become troublesome during the winter. Water pipes have the tendency to freeze or even burst because of regular use in cold temperatures.
To protect your pipes, you need to keep them warm and insulated. Pipe insulation can protect you from needing a whole house repipe.
4. Furnace or HVAC Inspection
Your furnace or HVAC system works hard to keep your home warm in the cold, dry winter. However, you can’t expect them to run at full capacity right away without an inspection first. Ensure that your furnace or HVAC system is given a complete inspection before use in the winter.
This way any minor issues avoid turning into larger ones since they are diagnosed and treated on time. Cleaning some parts out or straightening something here or there are examples of the kind of maintenance these systems need before turning them on.
5. Programmable Thermostat Installation
A programmable thermostat is a device that lowers your energy bills by turning your air cooling or heating system on or off according to a programmed routine. With a thermostat, you can program the temperature to be cooler when you’re away or asleep versus when you’re awake and save on your energy bill.
Now, with the thermostat, you can schedule different times to lower or raise the temperature or completely shut the heating off. So you can experiment different strategies to keep the temperature closest to optimal while saving your money as much as possible.
