Creating a Cozy Home for Winter
Home maintenance might be the last thing on your list of fun weekend activities when the weather turns colder. But tackling these tasks before you go into homeowner hibernation for the season will help keep your castle cozy -- and cost-efficient -- all winter long.
Do it yourself
There are several chores you can take on yourself when the mercury starts to dip. Start with this list to help get your home ready for winter weather.
Change furnace filters - Popular Mechanics recommends replacing your furnace filter once a month during heating season. If you want to invest in an upgrade, consider a permanent electrostatic filter. The average disposable fiberglass filter only catches about 40 percent of the debris compared with a capture rate of around 88 percent for electrostatic filters. Although electrostatic filters can cost anywhere from $50 to upwards of $1,000, if you opt for a washable version, they can last as long as five years with proper maintenance.
Winterize water lines - Draining your air conditioner pipes and hoses can help save hassle by preventing damage in the event of a freeze. If your air conditioner has a shut-off valve, turn it to the off position, and make sure outdoor water spigots are also off for the winter when you drain and store garden hoses for the season. Also, check that all of your pipes are adequately insulated to prevent the cold-weather catastrophe of them freezing and bursting just when you’re ready to jump into a hot shower.
Decimate drafts - One of the easiest and most obvious ways to deal with drafts is by sealing them with snakes, which lie across the bottom of doors and block cold air from getting in while keeping the heat inside. While a rolled-up bath towel will do the trick, you can buy or make a more sophisticated one that matches your decor. Popular Mechanics also offers several other ideas for dampening drafts that require a little more time and effort but will offer homeowners plenty of return on investment in the form of lower heating bills and warmer toes.
Protect plants - One of the easiest ways to prep plants for cold weather is by soaking the soil before a freeze and covering the area with bark, straw, or other natural insulating material, according to HGTV.
Gear up your garage - Winterizing your garage can create a warm workspace year-round, and protect your car and other items stored there from cold-weather damage. You can start by repairing or replacing the weatherstripping around your garage door. From there, you might also want to add insulation to walls and invest in a garage door insulation kit that uses foam board, reflective barriers, or some other material to keep cold air out of your car’s home.
Hire help
While there are many easy ways to winterize, some larger projects might require reinforcements. Here are a few things the average homeowner probably doesn’t want to tackle themselves.
Giving the heating system some TLC - Many experts recommend annual inspections for your furnace to make sure it’s clean, oiled up, and adjusted properly. Some manufacturers offer free or discounted inspections. You may also be eligible for a free furnace checkup through local utilities or heating and air conditioning companies. But be sure to set an appointment well before winter weather hits.
Installing energy-efficient appliances - If a checkup turns into an autopsy, you should consider replacing your old furnace with a much more energy-efficient option. Older furnaces and boilers typically convert only about 56 percent to 70 percent of the fuel they consume into heat for your home, compared with modern heating systems that can boost efficiency rates as high as 98.5 percent. So your upfront investment will add up to significant savings for the environment -- and your bank account -- for years to come.
Once you’ve taken care of these tasks, you can bundle up by the fire with a good book and a cup of cocoa, resting easy that your home, and your heating costs, are covered from the cold.
