In this post, we will talk about some of the major things you can do to protect your home in the winter season to prevent wear and tear.
As our lifestyles naturally change with the seasons, so should our homes. With autumn upon us and the cooler weather fast approaching, it’s time to bring out the winter woollies and start looking forward to cozy nights in.
However, heating costs can throw a wrench into your winter budget and the cold can make you cranky. But you can limit the discomfort by addressing the gaps, cracks, and waste that drive up fuel costs. Such fixes are available at a lower price than you might imagine.
Run through this article of fixes to make your house cozier, your heating more affordable and avoid in this year.
You should use these points for inside your house.
First of all, install a door sweep to stop drafts from entering your home under an exterior door. A sweep is a flexible piece of rubber or plastic that’s held to the door’s lower edge by a strip of aluminum. Then use window covering, it’s surprising how much insulation curtains, drapes, shades, and even mini blinds can provide.
Draw window coverings at night and when you’re away to conserve heat in the home. After that you should cover up hard floors, if you have tiles, hardwood or concrete floors, rugs are an easy and effective way to cozy-up your home in winter. Hardwood floors are not only chilly underfoot in winter; they don’t help hold in any heat, so unless you have underfloor heating, it’s time to invest in a rug or two.
Secondly, clean and service air-conditioning, according to Energy.gov you should clean or replace your air conditioning system’s filter or filters every month or two during each season. Filters may need more frequent attention if the air conditioner is in constant use, is subjected to dusty conditions, or you have fur-bearing pets in the house. Keeping the filter clean or replacing old filters can lower your air conditioner’s energy consumption by 5% to 15%.
The next effective thing to do is install a programmable thermostat it can save fuel by automatically lowering (or raising) your home’s temperature. It also keeps temperatures consistent, saving fuel.
Do not use a programmable thermostat with a heat pump unless the thermostat is meant for use with heat pumps.
Another important feature is insulating the hot-water pipes in your basement or crawl space by snapping foam sleeves on them
The temperature inside the walls where the pipes are located is substantially colder than the walls themselves. Temperatures lower than 65 degrees in-house might not keep the inside walls from freezing.
The last point is based on Heating oil company Petro recommendation, it says closing doors to rooms you are not using to create a “pocket of heat” in one room or to lessen the amount of space in your home to heat, allowing warmer air to stay in the rooms you are using.
On the other hand, you should aware about how to protect the outside your home for supplying this matter, set ceiling fan blades to move clockwise in winter, and run fans slowly. The idea is to lift cool air to the ceiling and push heated air down where you can enjoy it. Some fans have a remote control or remote switch. And also, stay off your roof during freezing weather, but once the ice and snow have melted, inspect your roof for any damage. Moreover, clean your gutters and downspouts before cold weather arrives to prevent ice from forming in them.
Do not forget to Spray an ice repellent solution on steps and walks before freezing weather arrives and use rock salt, sand, or clay-based kitty litter on walks and drives (NOTE: Salt can damage grass and other plants).
Here are some key points to avoid flooding:
- Shovel the snow AWAY from your home, especially away from any basement windows.
- Check your property for anything that may obstruct this flow of water away from the house. Make a path for the water.
- Avoid storing valuable items in the basement. If you have to, move them to higher levels during a thaw.
Furthermore, you could Protect your garden by bringing in container plants, add mulch around plants, and cover plants that are prone to frost damage. Remove covering when temperatures warm above freezing. Remember gently sweep snow off plants and shrubs in an upward motion with a broom.
Last but not least, if your garage is attached to your home, minimize the time your garage door is open. This will help to keep cold air out of your house and protect your hot water heater and any other plumbing that you may have in the garage.
To conclude, the thought of doing fall home improvement can make you groan. The fall season is exceptionally busy for many people, and it’s tempting to spend your free time enjoying the last few warm, sunny afternoons out in the backyard.
However, you can easily do most of these projects, and they’re more than worth the effort. In fact, not doing these projects in fall means you’ll likely have to bundle up and take care of them after the snow starts flying when the cold and wind can make the tasks that much more difficult and unpleasant to do.
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