While it may be hard to start thinking about the winter when it is still warm outside, fall is a great time to start preparing the home for when it gets cold and the harsh weather will start. If you are a homeowner, there are going to be a number of ways to help get your home ready for the season changes.
You want to make sure that you follow the right steps to help keep the home warm and cozy all winter long. Some of the steps that you can use to help make sure your home is ready for the winter include:
Check for Any Drafts
Something as simple as a door jamb or a drafty window will be enough to make your heating bill go up a significant amount. This can be expensive and will make it hard for you to handle when it keeps going up. You will be able to head off a skyrocketing bill by checking into all of the doors and the windows for drafts before the cold is able to set in.
A good way to do this is to hold a lit candle or a stick of incense. Then you can move it along the window and the door edges. You can look to see where there are small drafts that are able to affect the smoke or flame.
If you find some drafts going on, then it is time to get weatherstripping or some caulk to put around those areas to make a difference when the temperature drops. If you want to make double sure that there are no problems, you should have the home inspected by a professional.
Install an Electric Fireplace
Keeping warm can be a challenge when you are dealing with the winter. Your heater may try its best, but this can cost a lot of money and will make your utility go up through the roof. Adding a fireplace to your home can help.
A wall mounted electric fireplace can help keep a small room in your home comfortable and fun to be in. You can turn it on for a little bit and enjoy how comfortable you are all day long. There are many different sizes that come with an electric fireplace to make sure that you can heat up the room the way that you would like.
Make sure that you take a look at the wattage on the electric fireplace and how much you will need to get that room nice and warm. You can work with a professional to help you take care of getting the right electric fireplace and ensure that you get it installed well.
Clean and Replace the Filters
Many experts agree that you should change out the filters for the HVAC system every season to make sure that they are going to work well and not get worn out. The start of the fall is a good time for a homeowner to remove the old filters and clear out the duct vents of any buildup or dust that may be inside.
You will first need to shut off the furnace and then remove any filter that is old and dusty. You can then replace it with some new filters when the time is right and you are ready to go. This simple change is going to help to reduce the cost of heating the home and it can help make the air quality in your home better.
Change Out the Batteries
No matter what you have for a heating system, you should make sure that the carbon monoxide and smoke detectors are working well. Before winter comes, you need to take the time to change out the batteries on them to make sure they will work when necessary.
This is a task that you should do at least two times a year. It is a good idea to change the batteries in both the carbon monoxide detectors and smoke detectors every six months to make sure that they are going to work when you need them.
Reverse and Clean the Ceiling Fan Blades
Fan blades are going to catch onto more dust than you can imagine. You should take a few moments to wipe them down to keep the air a bit cleaner along the way. You may also want to consider reversing the blades of the fan during the winter.
The normal spin of the fan is going to pull up the heat and keep it away from the main part of the room. Most will have a switch that helps to change the direction of the fan. This can help to push the warm air down so that you can cut down on your heating costs during the cold months.
Reprogram the Thermostat
You may find that a programmable thermostat is a great way to keep your bills low and still make sure that your home stays comfortable all the time. You should take a look at the programmable thermostat during the fall and make some changes to the settings to ensure that it will be the temperature that you want.
You should also consider whether a smart thermostat is going to be a good option for you. this will help you to schedule when the heating should be higher or lower, having the device turn down the heat and turn it back up at certain times so the home is comfortable to use, even when you are gone all day long at work. You can even store your settings for later.
Keeping Your Home Safe for Winter
As the cold months come, you want to make sure that the home is comfortable and ready to go so you do not end up with any problems along the way. Having a professional come to your home and help out with service and taking care of some of the steps above will ensure that your home will stay warm and comfortable throughout the winter.
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