There are some essential things you need to do around the house to prepare for winter. Doing these things will ensure you a warm, cozy, and stress-free season. We’ve rounded up a list of home upgrades and preparations for winter. And if you’re worried about not getting your money’s worth, know that these are upgrades that will do you favors not just this season, but the whole year-round.
Check on your roof and gutters
Before the snow starts falling, make sure to clean your gutters to rid them of any clogging agents such as leaves, twigs, and dirt. Check on your roof for any air leaks where heat could escape.
If you have the funds for it, you could also upgrade your roof entirely. Metal is becoming a popular choice for roofing material these days. It’s lightweight, durable, and long-lasting. It has heat reflecting qualities so it can help snow to melt and shed it more effectively than other roofing materials. In the summertime, this heat reflecting quality will ensure that the inside of your home doesn’t feel like an oven and will lead you to spend less on air conditioning. A metal roof might need more insulation and sound-proofing than other roofing materials, however, so make sure to tell your metal roofing contractor about that.
It’s more expensive upfront, so it’s a good investment if you’re planning on staying in your home long enough to experience its long-lasting quality.
Seal cracks
Heat can escape through even the smallest gaps and crevices, so doing this will help to insulate your home. This will also keep pests out. You might think that pests aren’t a problem in the winter, but the cold weather might prompt them to seek shelter in warm homes such as yours. Don’t give them that opportunity and seal any cracks and holes that they might squeeze through. Don’t rule out the possibility of having to call pest control.
Install a smart thermostat
It may seem like an unnecessary upgrade, but installing a smart thermostat will do you many favors. In addition to boosting the real estate value of your home, it will also help you to save on your heating and cooling bills. You can program a smart thermostat to automate temperature settings according to a schedule or the temperatures outside. They can also pair with mobile devices for remote monitoring and control.
Insulation
Much of the heat you generate to keep your home warm escapes through the attic. The best way to insulate your attic is to lay down sheets of foam or fiberglass on the floor of your attic to keep the heat from rising upwards.
You can also install storm windows and doors. These act as a barrier to protect exterior doors and windows from harsh weather conditions and will also keep heat from escaping your home. The best part is that these are removable, so you can remove and store them in the spring until the next winter.
Check fire safety equipment
With all the holiday cooking, decorating, lighting candles, and warming up the fireplace, winter is the peak season for house fires. Make sure to test your smoke detectors at least once a month. Battery operated ones should be tested more often. If your alarm has surpassed 10 years since its manufacturing date, you need to replace it. Before you put up your Christmas lights, see to it that the bulbs and wires are still in good condition, with no cracks or frays. Put them in areas where doors or windows won’t close them and pets won’t chew on them. Switch to LED Christmas lights if you haven’t yet.
Like any other season, winter requires that you do a few routine checks and preparations around the house. Doing this will not only ensure your household’s safety, but it will also help you to keep expenses such as electrical bills at a minimum.