The best time to start preparing for the challenges of winter is during the summer or the fall. This is because it’s harder to get repairs in during winter, particularly if you live in an area that sees snow or frequent freezing rains. Not only can you save money by starting to tick off the steps outlined in this guide, but you can also avoid delays.
Too many people only check their heating system and home when they need it. If it works, then that’s fine, but if there’s an issue, you could be waiting due to a high backlog of jobs for your local experts.
That’s why it’s time to start planning and preparing for winter today. With this guide, you’ll be able to ensure you stay nice and cozy this winter, and for less:
Order Your Fuel Now
If you rely on heating oil for your home, then it’s so important to start checking prices today. You can order and book your oil delivery in advance and save by taking advantage of better rates before demand kicks prices up. You can also rest easy knowing your delivery is already scheduled, and you don’t have to wait during peak season for your oil.
Inspect Your HVAC or Heating System
You’ll want to bring in an expert to fully inspect your HVAC or other heating system before peak season swings around. They can flush out your system, tune it up, and do any other minor repair may be needed. The best part is that, because you’re getting this done before the winter colds set in, you’ll be able to book in that expert sooner and at a schedule that works for you.
At a minimum, cleaning out clogged air filters can help boost your HVAC’s efficiency, allowing you to heat or cool your home more easily.
Invest in Thick Insulated Drapes
Insulated or blackout drapes are thick, heavy, and capable of acting as a second level of insulation in your home. In hot summers, they can be used to block out the sun and keep your home cooler with less energy. In winter, close these blinds once the sun goes down to help keep warm air inside. They are a simple, budget-friendly change that can make a huge difference in your home.
Use Ceiling Fans
Either start using your ceiling fans or install ceiling fans to help boost the efficiency of your home. Like blackout drapes, ceiling fans can help you lower costs both during the summer and during winter.
In the summer, you can set your fan to rotate counterclockwise to draw hot air away from your living space. In winter, do the opposite, to push down the warm air in your home back to where you need it.
Find and Seal Drafts
It’s always a good idea to find and fix cracks or other sources of draft before the cold sets in. This is particularly true if that crack can get wet, as sealing a crack while there’s water inside can cause dampness, mold, and even rot in extreme situations.
That’s why you should aim to inspect, cut out rotten sealant or other issues, and professionally repair those issues in summer or early fall when things are dry. Once winter comes around, you can benefit from a more efficiently insulated home, without having to try to seal those issues, without having to contend with cold or damp.