Seven Ways to Start Prepping Your Home for Colder Weather
Homeowners find themselves trapped in a neverending cycle of spring cleaning, summer yard work, bagging up the fallen leaves of autumn, and bundling up for the colder weather. Some seasons require more extensive preparation, and getting ready for the colder temperatures of fall and winter can be quite the chore. Luckily, we can help! Read below to learn more about preparing your home for the upcoming colder weather!
Prepare Your Home Heating Technology
Making sure your home has adequate heating technology is one of the most important things to check before the temperatures drop. As the outside temperatures plummet, you’ll want your home to be a warm escape. Regardless of your home’s heating technologies, you should call a professional for any installation or maintenance needs. Most systems require annual maintenance to ensure they are functioning properly, and it is ideal to schedule before the winter because your system sees an uptick in use as the temperatures fall.
There can be a variety of different ways to heat your home this winter. Many homeowners opt for ductless mini split air conditioners to cool their homes in the warmer months. These systems also have heating capabilities, so they are just what you need this winter! As their name implies, ductless systems do not require the extensive ductwork of most central HVAC systems. Therefore, they are easy to install and operate very efficiently because there is no energy lost as it travels throughout the ductwork.
They also come in multi-zone systems, which allow you to heat one room without impacting the temperature in any others! A Mitsubishi Hyper Heat pump can provide your home with exceptional heating during the colder months. It is the best heat pump on the market and offers a variety of advantages over its competition.
Another way to heat your home this upcoming winter is by radiant heating. Radiant heating uses infrared heating to heat the objects in the room rather than the air in the room. The heat then transfers to the occupants in the room. The panels are installed under the wall, ceiling, or floor. It also has a variety of benefits such as efficiency, ease of installation, and size. Regardless of what system you use to heat your home, make sure it is ready for the colder temperatures.
Have Your Chimney and Fireplace Inspected
Relaxing by the fireplace is a staple of the winter, but you must make sure your system is functional beforehand. Call a professional chimney sweep to examine and inspect your system before the winter. A professional chimney technician will examine your chimney and fireplace to determine its condition. If there are any further problems, they will complete any necessary repairs.
They will also sweep your chimney, as dirty chimneys cause a litany of problems in your home. A working fireplace provides many benefits to your home, as they make great focal points for social gatherings. They are also an adequate heat source for your living room! However, be sure to call a professional chimney sweep before its first use this fall or winter.
Unpack Your Cold Weather Clothes
Unless you are fortunate enough to live in a city like San Diego with perfect weather all year long, you must alter your wardrobe from season to season. With summer approaching its conclusion, it is time to pull all your heavier clothes out of hibernation. Replace the t-shirts, shorts, or sundresses at the top of your drawers and in front of your closet with long sleeves, flannels, jeans, and jackets.
You may also need accessories to deal with the blistering cold and wind such as a hat, gloves, and scarves. Wash or dry clean your winter clothes in preparation for the colder weather!
Prepare Your Outdoor Equipment
Arguably the most dreaded cold weather chore is snow removal. It can ruin your outfit for the day, damage your car, and make you late for work or school. Therefore, you must prepare your snow removal equipment before the temperatures drop. Make sure your snow shovels or snow blowers are functional and stock up on salt to eliminate the ice on your sidewalk or driveway.
Many residents of colder climates also keep a smaller shovel and ice scraper in their car for emergencies. You should also store your lawn equipment such as lawnmowers and leaf blowers. They aren’t necessary during the winter and can be damaged if left outside for an extended period of time during the colder weather.
Clean Your Gutters
You should also clean your gutters before the temperatures drop. Clogged gutters prevent water from properly flowing off your home and can lead to “ice dams.” If water builds up in your gutters, it cannot drain properly and will eventually seep into your home. It can also cause your gutters to break, crack, or fall from your home. This type of damage leads to costly repairs but is easily preventable by taking the time to clean your gutters.
Winterize Your Pipes
Cleaning your gutters is not the only way to prevent water damage this winter, as there are several easy steps you should take to prepare your pipes for colder weather. Water expands as it freezes, which can damage your pipes and even lead to your pipes exploding. However, this is easily preventable by properly draining your outdoor faucets or sprinkler systems before the winter. You should also disconnect your outdoor hoses and store them inside while covering outdoor faucets with foam insulators.
Change the Direction of Your Ceiling Fans
Finally, you should change the directions on your ceiling fans in preparation for the cold. They should run counterclockwise to draw the room air up toward the ceiling while forcing the warm air down. This also reduces your energy bill by decreasing how hard your air conditioner must work to heat the room.
Many find themselves dreading the colder temperatures of winter, but preparing your home for fall/winter does not have to be daunting. After following this checklist, your home can withstand frigid temperatures! Rest easy and watch the snow pile up from the comfortable indoors, knowing that your home is handling the cold weather!
