Here we are...January. The holidays have come and gone and, in Western PA at least, all that remains is the cold, snow, and ice until spring. In the rush of holiday decorating and prep, many of us forget about prepping for the winter chill that sets in from December until March (or later, in the Pittsburgh area)! Whether you’re looking to sell your house or simply want to find a way to warm up this month, here are some tips to make your home a cozy paradise during this chilly season.
Install Weather Stripping and Door Sweeps
Doors are notorious leaks spots in the winter. If you haven’t taken a look at your doors, there’s a good chance you’re letting a lot of cold air in. Light a candle and hold it up to different areas around your door. If the candle is blown out, you have a leak! By installing foam or felt weatherstripping around the door and adding a sweep to the bottom, you can cut the drafts down and keep the cold air out and warmth inside where it belongs!
Fix Up the Attic
Attics don’t often get much attention unless we need to move things around that are up in storage. But ignoring your attic can be a chilling mistake. Sealing leaks and adding more insulation is an easy way to cut down on the cold coming in during the winter. You also lose a lot of warmth to the attic since heat rises; sealing up the attic can help trap the heat inside instead.
End the Thermostat Battle
Ah yes, the battle of the thermostat. It rages on in most households year-round, reaching new heights during the coldest or warmest months. One solution is to install a programmable thermostat. These allow you to automatically raise and lower temperatures depending on the time of day. With the temperature pre-set based on your schedule, there’s no chance of forgetting to turn it up or down and leaving your house running on high heat in your absence or freezing out your family when everyone is home.
Show Your Furnace Some Love
Your furnace is the star of the show in the winter, so giving it a little extra attention only makes sense. If you don’t already, be sure to replace your furnace filters regularly. Most furnace filters should be replaced every three months, and once a month in the winter when it’s running more. Not only is this good for your furnace, but it helps keep the hot air flowing to the rest of the house.
You should also be sure to have your furnace serviced regularly before winter weather kicks into high gear to make sure everything keeps running smoothly. Spending money to have a professional perform regular upkeep beats having to replace the whole thing!
Give the Water Heater Love Too
While your water heater is essential year-round, it works much harder in the winter than in the warmer months. For older water heaters, adding insulation can help save on energy costs and keep things flowing nice and hot. You can check with your utility company for tips on insulating your water heater. This isn’t an option for all heaters. Don’t look into insulating if you have:
Pre-insulated water heaters (check the manufacturer’s label)
Water heaters with manuals or paperwork that specifically warn against insulating
Tankless (on-demand) water heaters
Another cost-saving tip is to lower the hot water temperature on your water heater. While most heaters are set to 140°F, lowering the temperature to 120°F can help prevent burns, lower heating costs, and still keep your water hot enough for all of your household needs.
Stop the Leaks
We’ve covered the leaks around your doors and in your attic, but leaks can happen in a number of places! Check around windows, your foundation, exterior walls, basements, etc. You can use things like caulk or spray foam gap-sealer to plug up leaks you come across. Another great way to stop leaks is to install plastic wraps on your windows during the winter.
Use What You’ve Got
Finally, there are lots of easy ways to make what you already have in your home works for you this winter. Setting your ceiling fans spin counter-clockwise and letting them run on low can help to lift cold air up and push warm air back down. You can also use your window coverings to help naturally warm your home. On sunny days, let the sunshine in to warm up a room, then draw the drapes when the sun goes down to help block any cold coming in.
By following these tips, you can expect a warm and cozy winter in your home. And if you’re looking to sell, taking these easy steps to prep your home for winter can go a long way with potential buyers. In fact, selling your house during the off-season can come with its own benefits! If you’re ready to kick off 2019 by selling your house, get in touch with us today!