This might be New Orleans, but we still need to be ready for winter! Even though we don't get the frigid temps that our friends up north see, it's still important to prep and protect your home from the elements. Since winterizing your home is a must-do for the cold-weather season, we’ve compiled a quick list of five steps you can quickly take to prepare your home for winter weather:
Check for Drafts
Though you may be preparing to welcome family and friends to your home this holiday season, you’ll want to keep Jack Frost out. So, inspect your door and window frames for possible drafts. If you find that cold air is seeping in, simply caulk or install weather-stripping around the frames. Adding a draft guard to your doors is a simple fix that will keep cold air from coming inside, too.
Inspect Heating Systems The last major home system you want to have problems with during the winter is your heating system. Before the weather outside gets too frightful, have a professional make sure that your heating system is running efficiently. On your end, make sure to replace your furnace filters. During the cold season, it is a good idea to do this once a month. If you have and regularly use a fireplace, have the chimney cleaned out as well.
Clean the Gutters
While you’re up on the roof hanging your holiday lights, glance down at your gutters. If they’re filled with leaves, twigs or other debris, you’ve got to get that gunk out of there before snow and ice further clog them. Allowing your gutters to clog up is like inviting standing water, mold, mildew and other pests in to damage your home. Do your due diligence to clean out your gutters before you’re trying to chunk away at ice that’s covering the current mess.
Reverse Ceiling Fans
This may be the easiest home winterization tip yet! Reversing your ceiling fans will help you to better heat your home and save some money while doing so! In the summer months, ceiling fans should be running counterclockwise to drive down cool air. When winter hits, allowing the fans to run clockwise allows warm air to circulate through your home.
Invest in a Programmable Thermostat If you don’t have one already, it may be time to buy yourself an early holiday gift. Investing in a programmable thermostat will help you to keep your home warm when you’re inside, but keep the heat turned down when you’re at work, school or even when you’re sleeping at night. Adjusting the temperature based on your activity is a great way to save on winter heating costs.