As the weather gets colder, we’ve been focusing a lot on things you can do outside your home to prepare for winter. Just because the inside of your house is nice and toasty (and protected from the elements), it doesn’t mean you don’t need to prepare it for the colder temperatures outside. Here are some essential things to make sure your home is ready for the winter (because it is coming!)

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HVAC Maintenance

Your HVAC system has been working hard all summer to keep your home cool during these warmer months. It is important to book an HVAC maintenance before it kicks back into action to keep your home nice and warm during the winter. A regular maintenance in the Fall can ensure your ducts and filters are cleaned. Regular maintenance will prolong the life of your HVAC system and make sure your system is running efficiently. This is important to keep heating bills down and reduce the possibility of fires. Try to book your HVAC maintenance sooner rather than later, as this is a busy time of year for HVAC service.

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Seal Drafts
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This one you can do on your own or hire a professional. In order to maximize the efficiency of your HVAC system, it is important to make sure there are no drafts in your house (if there are, you will force your HVAC system to work over time!). Start by checking for any drafts at entryways. An easy way to check for a draft is by holding a lit candle by the door, if the flame blows towards you then this indicates a draft. Weather stripping can help stop the drafts -door sweeps, rubber foam, sealing tapes, screen patches, and draft sealers can be used (depending on your situation). These can all be purchased at your local hardware store. 

Windows can also be culprits for drafts entering your home. Ensure you check your window frames and if you see any crackers larger than the width of a nickel, be sure to re-caulk them. Even those these cracks seem small, a lot of heat can be lost during the winter. Everything for re-caulking can also be purchased at your local hardware store. 

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Reverse Fans

If you have any fans in your home that have a reverse switch, you should be reversing your fans once you turn your heat on. Running your fans in a clockwise direction will produce an updraft and push down heated air into the room. Heat rises so if you do not reverse your fans, heated air will remain at the top of your rooms and it won’t heat the room as efficiently. This small but important change can help to reduce heating bills and may even allow you to turn down your thermostat a little!

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Update Thermostat

Installing a Nest, Ecobee or other smart thermostat can save on heating costs throughout the winter. With the ability to automatically lower or raise your home’s temperature it will help to keep your home temperature consistent. It can be easy to forget to lower your thermostat if you’re going to be out or gone for a few days, so having the ability to adjust the temperature from your phone from anywhere can be a huge benefit. Also, if you have been gone for awhile, you can increase the temperature before you arrive so your home is at the right temperature when you arrive. You can also program these systems to automatically lower and raise the thermostat based on your daily routines -they don’t call them smart for nothing! 

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Use Window Coverings

Window covers, like blinds, drapes or curtains, are a great way to conserve heat in your home. They may seem like they don’t do much but they create an insulation and help trap heat inside. This helps keep your home warm and also save on heating bulls. Installing window coverings on all windows and drawing them at night makes a huge difference. Curtains can easily be installed on your own, but blinds and drapes may require a professional! 

These may all seem like inconsequential things, but checking these all of your list will make for a more comfortable home during the colder months. Not only will you be more comfortable, your heating bill will reflect the savings! Not interested in taking on these projects yourself? Feel free to email us and we can suggest some professionals to help get the interior of your home winter ready. 

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