Last Updated on August 3, 2023 by Umer Malik
It’s almost winter, and if you live somewhere where the temperature drops below freezing, you know how tough it can be to keep your house for winter warm and moist without spending a fortune on energy bills.
That’s why, today, Home Goods Hardware stores are packed with families gearing up their homes for the season. This article was written to share with you the ways to prepare your home to stay cozy all winter long so that you can save money and still feel comfortable in your house for winter. Here are those 10 tips!
1. Take out air conditioners
Summer is over, which means you can take out your air conditioners to avoid having them freeze in cold weather. Always check your insulation before you leave them outside. If they are still warm to the touch, leave them covered with a heavy-duty tarp until winter passes by.
Consider removing an old AC unit that no longer works as well as putting in a new one while you’re at it; not only will your house be more efficient and save you money on electricity bills, but there are tax breaks to consider as well!
2. Let fresh air inside with open windows
A great way to make your house feel warm, cozy, and safe is by allowing fresh air in. In winter you may be tempted to close up your house tight to keep out cold air. But that can have negative effects on your home’s health.
Allowing warm air inside through open windows can help regulate your home’s temperature, especially in rooms like basements where temperatures fluctuate more drastically between day and night.
3. Protect windows and doors
There’s no better way to prepare your house for winter than by taking a few preventive steps, such as caulking or weather-stripping windows and doors to keep out drafts. Doing so not only helps reduce your heating bills but also improves energy efficiency throughout your home.
Sliding glass doors are notoriously drafty, so weather-stripping will help close in warm air on cold days. For an average single-family house, 1⁄4 inch of caulk around each door can save about $250 a year in heating costs!
4. Cut down on drafts
Keeping your house warm is important, but you should also make sure that it’s well-insulated. This will help keep drafts to a minimum, which means you won’t have to turn up your heat as high. Maintaining proper insulation levels can help lower your energy costs all year long.
Check to see if you have any leaky spots in doors or windows or broken seals around ductwork and get those fixed immediately. Weatherproofing is especially important if you live somewhere where you experience severe winters or lots of rain or snowfall every year.
5. Insulate cold spots
Oftentimes, there are areas of your home that aren’t properly insulated. If you’re aware of a particular room in your house that always seems to be cold, then consider adding insulation. Many places in homes are ideal candidates for insulation, including basements and attics.
The cost to add insulation depends on what type you want to add; whether it’s cellulose, fiberglass or rock wool will determine how much is required as well as how hard it will be to install.
On average though, cellulose insulation costs $3-$5 per square foot while fiberglass costs $6-$7 per square foot. No matter what material you choose though, installation is simple enough to be completed by most homeowners themselves.
6. Cover water pipes with insulation
Insulating water pipes is a relatively easy way to save energy. It’s quick, too, as you can use pipe insulators available at any hardware store. But make sure to wrap them properly so they don’t prevent water from flowing freely through your system.
The goal is just to keep heat from escaping along your pipes by creating an extra layer of insulation; you still need the water to flow freely. If possible, get help installing water-pipe insulation it’s heavy stuff that’s not ideal to be holding while suspended on a ladder above ground!
7. Check the wood stove
Did you know that nearly one-third of home heating fires in winter can be attributed to wood stoves? These fires typically result from clogged chimneys, poor ventilation, or improper appliance installation.
Before you light a fire, check your stove’s flue to ensure there are no blockages or obstructions. If you need help checking your flue or installing your wood stove, call a licensed contractor. A cozy winter is worth it!
8. Get rid of dryer lint
Dryer lint is not just a fire hazard. If left clogging up your dryer, that lint can cause your clothes to get burned during long cycles, or even prevent them from drying at all. This can lead to mildew in your dryer. It’s a good idea to clean out your lint trap after every cycle; if you have a front-loading washer and dryer, make sure there is nothing blocking your venting system!
9. Deal with snow buildup
When your snowblower is broken, a shovel might not seem like an appropriate replacement. However, snow shovels can be quite useful in certain situations. The metal scoop of a regular snow shovel makes short work of packed snow, ice, or compacted slush. Also, remember to invest in a sturdy pair of gloves to protect your hands from cold as you’re clearing away winter weather.
Make sure they fit well enough so you don’t lose body heat; if they’re too large, you’ll feel like you’re wearing boxing gloves all day long! On the other hand, if they’re too tight or small, your hands will sweat instead of staying dry and warm.
10. Enjoy cozy comfort all winter long
For those of us who live in cold climates, maintaining our home can seem daunting at best. But there’s no need to bundle up and suffer through your drafty abode. The key is to make sure you prepare ahead of time so your cozy cottage doesn’t become a freezing fortress of frustration.
One winter season from now, you could be kicking back by a crackling fireplace, sipping coffee with friends, marveling at how little effort goes into keeping things nice and toasty all year round.
Conclusion
As you can see, people are all different. However, there is one thing that remains constant: people want to be heard. If you have something worth saying, but don’t have time to say it yourself, consider hiring a ghostwriter. They’ll make sure your voice shines through in your writing. Good luck!
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