There’s nothing quite like the smell of crackling firewood on a cold winter night. The warmth it brings to your home is unmatched. But keeping your house warm and cozy during the colder months requires some preparation and work. Preparing for winter ahead of time can make all the difference when you’re left shivering at the first frosty morning. Getting ready for winter as soon as possible will also help prevent any unwanted surprises come autumn. read on…
Collecting Firewood
When toting up the costs of keeping your house warm in the winter, you may not think of the firewood supply as an ongoing expense. But it’s one you’ll have to consider. Firewood prices are likely to increase in autumn as the demand for them increases throughout the region. The best advice for saving money on firewood is to start collecting your own firewood now. It’s true that trees provide the best kind of firewood, but you can also use wood pallets, old fence posts, and other scraps that are lying around. If you have a fireplace, or are in a house with a wood-burning stove, collecting firewood now will be easier because you’ll have more time to do so.
Check your fireplace flue
You may want to check the flue on your fireplace now to make sure everything is in order and ready for winter. Plus, if you find any problems with the flue, you can get it fixed before it gets too cold. The flue is the inside of your chimney where the smoke escapes from your fire. It’s important that you keep the flue in good condition to prevent carbon monoxide from getting into your house. The best way to do this is to have it inspected every year at the beginning of fall by a qualified Chimney Sweep.
Install a Smart Home Thermostat
A smart home thermostat can help you save money on heating during the colder months. It can also be programmed to keep your home warm when you’re not there, making it a great investment for anyone who travels often. A smart thermostat is an easy way to cut down on heating costs since you can control the temperature from your phone or computer. You can set it to heat when you know you’ll be home and when you know you’ve got enough time to get the house warm before bedtime.
Protect Your Pipes
As temperatures drop, your pipes are at risk of freezing. This can be dangerous and costly. Luckily, there are a few things you can do ahead of time to reduce the risk of damage. – Insulate your pipes. Wrap them with foam pipe insulation to keep them warm. This will also help to reduce noise, as warm pipes aren’t as likely to clatter.
Prep for Power Outages
If you live in an area that’s prone to storms and outages, it’s a good idea to prep for power outages before they happen. This is a great way to reduce the stress of unexpected outages. Here are some things to consider before an outage hits. – If you have a generator, make sure it’s clean and ready to go. You don’t want to be in the middle of an outage and suddenly find yourself unable to turn the lights back on! – Keep flashlights, batteries, and a charged radio nearby. Having these items ready and accessible will help you stay prepared for extended outages. – If you have a fireplace, make sure you have everything you need to start a fire.
Add Weather Stripping to Doors and Windows
If there’s one thing that can help reduce energy bills, it’s weather stripping. This simple and inexpensive addition can help keep cold air out and warm air in. It can also help to reduce drafts and noise from outside noises. Here are a few places where you can add weather stripping. – Around doors. This is a great place to start. Doors are often a weak point in the house, letting in drafts and cold air. Adding weather stripping around the door will help to seal out the cold. – Around windows. Windows are another common area for cold air to sneak in. If you have older windows or ones that don’t have a lot of insulation, adding weather stripping in this spot can help.
Preparing for winter doesn’t have to be a big production.
A little bit of preparation can go a long way toward keeping your house warm and cozy during the colder months and will make life a lot easier come autumn. – Always keep an eye on your water pipes, and protect your water sources from freezing. – Keep indoor plants healthy with plenty of water and sunlight, and protect them from the cold and the sun. – Finally, make sure to collect firewood and prepare for power outages. With these tips, you’ll be ready for winter and all the challenges it brings!