You've finally put the patio furniture away and closed up the cottage for another year - it's officially wintertime. As sad as it is to see the summer go, the winter also has its advantages. Over the next few months, you'll have an opportunity to spend more time with the family at home. And due to the COVID-19 pandemic, you'll probably spend a lot more time than usual inside, as many people will practice social-distancing by staying at home throughout the winter months.
Aside from putting the summer outdoor furniture away, is your home ready for the cold, stormy season ahead? You're going to be there a lot over the next little while, so ensure that it's warm, comfortable, and protected from environmental factors such as hail and ice. Soon you'll be hauling out the shovel to clear away the snow in the driveway.
Here are two pertinent tips on how to prepare your home for winter.
Check the Furnace
Before you turn the furnace on for the first time in six or seven months, ensure that it's in perfect functioning condition. Giving your furnace a tune-up before the colder season begins will provide you with the peace of mind that there are no faulty parts and that it's safe for you and the family to enjoy all winter long.
Your furnace's filters could be full of dirt, dust, and debris. You don't want unclean air floating around the home all season because it's unhealthy and can be harmful to anyone with allergies or asthma. A licensed professional will check your filters and also look for leaks in the exhaust pipe, ensuring zero risks of carbon monoxide exposure.
Winterize the Windows
Another critical tip to keeping your house warm is to winterize the windows. The last things you'll want to notice in the middle of a frigid snowstorm are cracks or holes in the windows. Cold drafts of air will leak through, and not only will you feel cold, but your utility bill will also soar since you'll be hiking up the thermostat to a warmer temperature.
Seal your windows with caulking to reduce any air leakage, and apply weatherstripping foam around each of your windows. The weatherstripping will also help to minimize air leakage throughout the winter season.
If your windows are severely damaged or old, it might be time to replace them entirely. Contact a professional manufacturing and installation company such as Casa Bella Windows & Doors - one that provides high-quality, energy-efficient products. Energy-efficient windows are a bit of an investment initially, but their high-quality materials and design will help to lower your future utility bills. They lock in the warm air in your home and block the cold from entering in. You won't need to have the furnace turned on high because the temperature will already be comfortable enough.
These two tips will help you and the family hunker down for another winter. When you get that furnace checked out and ensure your windows are in excellent condition, you won't even notice when it's well below freezing outside - you'll be too comfortable, enjoying precious family time.
