By Rachelle Williber
As the temperatures drop and winter starts to settle in, it's important to make sure your home is ready for the colder months ahead. Whether you’re a new homeowner, or an experienced one who has seen many winters before, prepping your home for winter can save you time, money, and stress throughout the season. Here are five tips that will help prepare your home for these chillier months – they’ll ensure your home is as safe and comfortable as possible while saving you energy costs too.
Get Your Furnace and Ducts Serviced
One of the most important things you can do to make sure your home is comfortable while also being energy-efficient, is to ensure your furnace and ductwork are in proper condition. Getting your furnace serviced once a year increases its efficiency and helps extend its lifespan, saving you money in the long run. It's also important to inspect your ductwork for leaks and other signs of wear or damage; a leak in the ductwork can cause cold spots, meaning you're paying more on heating costs than you should have.
Replace Filters and Clean Air Vents
To ensure the air quality in your home is the highest it can be, consider replacing your filters regularly and keeping those vents clean. Not only will this help with eliminating dust, pollen, smoke, and pet dander, but it will also extend the lifespan of your heating or cooling system. Working with an HVAC technician to evaluate your unit’s needs every 6 months is a great way to take preventative measures and detect any potential issues as soon as possible. Investing in clean air now can make all the difference later.
Install a Programmable Thermostat
Installing a programmable thermostat in your home is the perfect way to ensure that you're not paying too much for your heating bill each month. With a programmable thermostat, you have total control over when and how much heat your house produces. You can set times for the temperature to fall overnight and for when certain rooms need more heat. No matter if you're at home or away, this device will help you save money and use energy only when it's absolutely necessary. Moreover, modern thermostats are more intuitive than ever before, giving you more flexibility than ever before. If you want to maximize your energy savings and cut down on monthly costs - install a programmable thermostat!
Winterize Your AC Unit
Winterizing your AC unit is essential for surviving the harsh winter months without dealing with costly repairs caused by freezing temperatures. Covering your unit will help protect it from debris while unplugging the power supply can prevent electrical issues. Don't forget to turn off the circuit breaker in your home before disconnecting any power supply. Be sure that your cover is sturdy and secure - especially if you live in an area prone to strong winds – as wind-driven snow or rain may cause damage if the cover isn’t properly secured. If you have any concerns about your ac unit this winter, reach out to a residential ac repair service to ensure it’s prepared. This simple process will have your AC unit all ready once warm weather hits again!
Check Your Roof
As winter approaches, it's important to inspect your roof for leaks or cracked shingles that could become major issues once the cold weather hits. If you don't tend to necessary repairs now, you could be looking at a much bigger problem later on – and no one wants that! So take a little time out of your day to give your roof a good inspection, just to make sure it'll help you stay warm through the entire chilly season without any unexpected issues popping up.
Winter is coming and with it the cold weather and increased heating costs. Make sure your home is prepared for winter by getting your furnace serviced and inspecting your ductwork, replacing your filters and cleaning your vents, installing a programmable thermostat, winterizing your AC unit, and checking your roof. These simple steps can help keep you warm all winter long at a fraction of the cost of leaving it to chance. Have you taken care of all these things in preparation for winter? If not, don’t worry – there’s still time!
Rachelle Wilber is a freelance writer living in the San Diego, California area. She graduated from San Diego State University with her Bachelor's Degree in Journalism and Media Studies. She tries to find an interest in all topics and themes, which prompts her writing. When she isn't on her porch writing in the sun, you can find her shopping, at the beach, or at the gym. Follow her on twitter: @RachelleWilber
