The question, how to winterize a home has an annual significance. It’s the time when you need to put away your summer shirts and bring out the woolen cardigans, scarf’s, warm socks, lamb wool gloves, warm blankets, throws, snow boots, caps and all warm accessories.
Winterizing a home is always fun. It’s not just about clothing; nothing can beat a mug of hot chocolate with a handful of peanuts and pistachios in front of the blazing fire.
Here are some helpful ideas on how to winterize a home:
- Keep your house insulated – Insulated rooms conserve energy and keep your rooms warm and cozy. Insulate your warm pipes so water does not freeze or your pipes won’t burst when snow falls. Insulating also helps you conserve energy and reduce your electric and gas bills.
- Take warm baths – A warm bath is another way to winterize a home. Get your hot water geysers tested and turn them on for a luxurious hot bath therapy. Winterizing a home does not only means to turn on the winter appliance but also to safely pack up the summer system. Make sure you cover your AC with a tarp or plastic cover to protect it from the cold blizzards.
- Inspect your heating system – Your heating system requires the annual inspection by a professional who will ensure that the system is safe, free and fully capable of heating your place. If you have a fireplace, instead of centrally heated systems, get your chimney and fireplace cleaned to eliminate the risk of fire. The handyman will clean away any creosote and make sure the heating appliance are fully functional with no gas leakage. Caught up dust debris in the heating system can cause fire.
- Weather strip your windows – You will have to weather strip your windowsills to keep the temperate warm inside. This also ensures the cool air is left out. Storm windows also save energy and improve the thermal efficiency in preserving energy. The temperature of the room is mostly maintained through the windows. If there is a leakage in the window caulking the heat won’t be retained inside.
- Test your smoke detectors – Since you will be turning on the fire system there is no harm in testing your smoke detectors and fire alarms to be on the safe side. Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors require battery replacements. You should also keep a fire extinguisher handy. If your extinguisher is more than 10 years old, it needs to be replaced.
- Take care of repairs – No one wants winter with no heat. So before winters begin, it is time to winterize your house by checking all leakages, pipes, ducts, chimneys, roof, cracks, drains, gutters, downspouts, leaks, furnace and any other part of the house that requires repairs.
- Keep your fire tools in order, and most importantly, arrange your shovels, ice scraper, rock salt and snow blowers in order. You will need them soon when it’s time to clean away the snow at your door step.
- Have an emergency kit in your house in case there is a power shut down. Your kit can include candles, charged batteries, bottled water, some energy food, non perishable supplies and blankets etc.