Winter officially arrives on Dec. 21, but the cold air and bursts of snow already have us thinking about the season ahead. If you want to stay warm, comfy and safe in your home this winter, here are some essential tasks to complete now, like the adulting specialist you are.
Check Your Heating System
Now is a good time to check your furnace to ensure it works properly. Set your thermostat a couple of degrees above room temperature and ensure the heat is kicking in. Change the filter, make sure the vents are free and clear, and if necessary, consider a professional inspection just to be on the safe side.
Seal Windows and Doors
No one wants a draft coming through their home when the temperature drops. Check the seals around doors and windows to ensure everything is nice and tight. If there are leaks, you can use an insulator kit to seal them or add caulk to crevices where heat may escape.
Set Your Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans do more than cool you down in the summer; they also help to circulate heat in the winter. To do that, make sure you set your fans’ blades clockwise. Doing so creates an updraft and puts less pressure on your furnace as you heat the house.
Related: 5 Eco-Friendly Upgrades to Ensure Clean Air at Home
Test All Alarms
It’s a good idea to test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors regularly, but with winter coming up, add this task to your list. Put in fresh batteries, make sure the sounds are loud enough, and go over escape plans with the family so that everyone is on the same page.
Clean Out Your Vents
Clean out air ducts every three to five years to reduce allergens, improve the overall air quality of your home, and prevent fire hazards. Doing so can also help with potential pest or rodent problems, conserve energy, and keep your home smelling fresh. If you’re unsure how clean your vents are, pull back a cover and look inside. If there’s dirt and debris, it may be time to call in a professional.
Clear Gutters of Debris
As snow melts, water can easily pool in your gutters and cause damage. Before the next solid freeze happens, remove leaves and other debris from your gutters to keep water free and flowing over the next several months.
Check Attic Insulation
If your attic doesn’t have proper insulation or airflow, it can lead to a slew of problems, like mold, higher bills and more energy consumption. To check yours, see if you can spot the floor joists. If you can, you’ll probably need more insulation. If your attic is drafty, moist or contains ice dams, those are additional signs to call in some pros.
Drain Your Hoses
It may seem like a small task, but draining hoses before the weather freezes over is an important winter home maintenance task. If trapped water freezes, it can expand, leading your hose to burst. Worse, hoses still connected to faucets can burst and potentially damage faucets and pipes.
Check Your Sump Pump
If your home has a sump pump, check the pit for any debris or dirt that may have accumulated over the past year. It’s also important to check the discharge hose for any blockages. Ensure the pit is topped up with water, that the discharge hose is aimed away from your foundation, and consider adding a battery backup in case the power goes out. Never put antifreeze in your sump pump, but if you’re concerned about freezing, get a professional to install insulation around the line and intake sections.
Related: How to Get Rid of That Musty Smell in Your Basement
Sweep Your Chimney
If you have a chimney, you should clean it yearly. (And more often if you use your fireplace regularly.) Otherwise, soot and creosote can accumulate and cause health risks and fire hazards. It’s also a good idea to install a chimney cap to prevent dirt and animals from entering over the winter, and ensure you’ve got a stainless steel liner.
