No doubt about it. Colder weather is on the way. The days are getting shorter. Leaves are turning. We’re into fall activities – to the extent possible. Here are some tips for preparing the inside of your home for the changing seasons.
Inside
- Have your furnace inspected. You’ll want to make sure it is in perfect working condition when the cold weather hits. An inspection can also identify small problems before they become larger ones and identify larger problems that might indicate it’s time for a new furnace.
- Install a programmable thermostat that automatically raises and lowers the temperature of your home. Wi-Fi thermostats can be controlled through your tablet or phone.
- Inspect your air ducts. Sealing exposed ducts in the attic, crawl space, unfinished basement and garage will keep warm air flowing, making the house more comfortable and reducing your utility bill.
- Keep the temperature a little cooler. Just one degree cooler can provide significant savings. If it gets too cold, put on another layer of clothing, or put another blanket on the bed.
- Install weatherstripping around doors and windows, and a door sweep under doors. This can help cold air from leaking in, will keep your house warmer, and save on energy costs.
- Keep the shutters, blinds and curtains open during the day to let the sun warm your home. Then close them at night.
- Set your ceiling fans to move clockwise in winter. This forces the cool air up, making the room feel a little warmer. Remember, this only helps when we are in the room; the ceiling fan should be off if nobody is in the room.
- Install attic insulation. This will help keep the home warmer in winter (and cooler in summer) and save energy.
- Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they are functioning properly.
- If you have a fireplace, make sure it is cleaned and inspected before you begin using it. And make sure the damper is closed when you aren’t using it.
- Insulate the hot water heater. This will save energy costs
- Insulate pipes to keep them from freezing. You don’t want those pipes to freeze in frigid weather.
