Although it’s hard to believe that with the summer heat we’ve been having, Christmas is only weeks away. Don’t be deceived, winter is coming!
In just three weeks we will be turning clocks back to Eastern Standard Time, which means it will be getting dark much earlier in the evening. In fact, the temperatures are forecast to feel more like fall this weekend with daytime highs in the 60s, and night-time lows slipping into the 40s. This means sweater weather and perhaps some heat at night.
No matter where you live or how old or young you are, keeping warm is a basic need that we all share.
When the mornings are cool, bundle up. Wear a cap or hat to keep your head warm.
And, before you turn on the heat, have your heat pump checked and clean your furnace. Like a car, a home needs a regular tuneup.
Heating systems need maintenance, chimneys need sweeping and windows need caulking.
Sediment build-up can cause your system to work less efficiently or potentially became a fire-hazard. Cleaning your system and getting it inspected will reduce the risks.
During the winter try to change your filter regularly; a dirty filter will decrease air flow and energy-efficiency. And if your furnace is ready to be replaced, buy an energy-efficient model. It will save you money and energy each month.
Your ducts are oftentimes out of sight, out of mind, tucked away in the attic or basement, but a home with central heating can lose about 20% of the air that moves through the duct system. Make sure your ducts are in order by properly sealing and insulating them. Tightly sealed and insulated ducts can potentially reduce your annual energy bills by $120 or more.
Keep the outside air out and the inside air in. We talk about this a lot, but it is hugely important for your energy savings to ensure there are no air leaks in your home. Warm air will escape out of any cracks and can make your heating system work harder and cost you more to heat your home. Use caulk to seal cracks and openings between stationary house components like a door frame and weatherstripping to seal components that move like an operable window.
To get ready for winter, also check your gutters. All the leaves and grime that you neglected while you were out swimming, hiking, or riding your bicycle this summer have built up in your gutters. If left full of debris, clogged gutters and drains can form ice dams that prevent your drainage systems from working properly. This can lead to water seeping into your home, which — as seen in the Conquering Moisture blog — can lead to all sorts of issues and extra energy costs. Save yourself the hassle of repairing a leak by simply cleaning your gutters and drains now. When you do, run water through the gutters to check for misalignments that could also cause water damage.
For sure, check your smoke alarms. Three out of five home-fire deaths happen in properties without working smoke alarms, according to the United States Fire Administration. So make sure yours work. Change the batteries in all your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors once a year; the day you set the clocks back is a good one to do it.
Check the manufacturing date, too, and replace any detectors that are more than 10 years old. Any reliable model will do.
If you have a wood-burning fireplace, be mindful of the fact that heat, smoke and dangerous gases from your fireplace and heating system travel up your chimney and out of your house, keeping the air inside breathable. A dirty chimney could affect air quality and also pose a fire hazard. So keep your chimney clean.
The thought of doing fall home improvement can make you groan. The fall season is exceptionally busy for many people, and it’s tempting to spend your free time enjoying the last few warm, sunny afternoons out in the backyard.
In fact, not doing these projects in fall means you’ll likely have to bundle up and take care of them after the snow starts flying, when the cold and wind can make the tasks that much more difficult and unpleasant to do.
Soon enough, it’ll be time for spring cleanup, but until then make sure you’re safe and warm this winter.