Winterizing your Home

We Canadians are no strangers to the chill of the winter season! As we shift into the final few months of this year, now is a great time to check your home before the cold front hits. Below, I have included a few tips that could help you save on bills, prevent future repair costs, and be more comfortable all winter.

1. Inspect Your Fireplace: There is no better time to inspect your fireplace to ensure optimal efficiency and heat output. Whether you have a wood-burning, gas, or electric fireplace, proper maintenance can go a long way for your heating bill!
2. Maintain Your Furnace: While inspecting your fireplace, don’t forget to maintain your furnace! Suppose your furnace is getting old. In that case, you may also want to consider replacing it as typically newer furnaces are more efficient than the previous generation, which could help save on energy costs. Either way, ensuring your furnace is in working order will guarantee top output and a cozy winter!
3. Clean The Gutters: The last thing you want is your gutters to be clogged when the snow hits! Cleaning your gutters from Fall leaves and other debris will help ensure proper drainage for melting snow. For those who want to go the extra step, consider gutter guards to help keep out unwanted objects from your gutters.
4. Examine Your Roof: While prepping your winter gutters, examining your roof is a good idea. A few things to look for include broken or missing shingles, damaged flashing, staining from water leakage, and ventilation.
5. Consider a Programmable Thermostat: According to experts, a degree drop in your home temperature can measure up to 1% on your heating bill. For those who don’t like to have cold feet all season, smart thermostats are a great way to keep warm and optimize your energy savings! Ideally, you want to set your thermostat to turn on in the morning, off when you go to work, and back on in the evening to ensure a toasty welcome.
6. Insulate Windows: Always check your windows for any gaps or water leakage and get them resealed as soon as possible. If you live in a freezing location, consider swapping your windows to double-paned glass for an added insulation layer. Another tip to keep the cold from seeping through your windows is swapping out your curtains for a heavier, thermal-lined set that can do wonders!
7. Check Your Pipes: Checking pipe joints for leaks that could cause rot and damage will save you trouble in the future. Repair any cracks, especially those around electrical outlets and alarm system lines. Also, consider foam pipe insulation, which is easy to install and helps prevent energy loss and potential water damage from frozen pipes.
8. Stock Up on Supplies: There are a few things you might want to consider stocking up on ahead of time for the winter season, such as flashlights and batteries, ice melt, extra pet food and canned goods, and an emergency storm kit that includes an extra flashlight, candles, portable radio, water, and snacks.

With some preparation, you can keep your home in good shape without needing to feel the cold bite of winter!