As winter approaches, it’s time to start preparing your home for the colder months. Proper maintenance can not only help keep your Ash Street home cozy but also protect it from potential winter damage.
By taking a few simple steps now, you can save energy, reduce heating costs, and avoid costly repairs down the line. Here’s a quick guide to winterizing your home, from checking windows for drafts to organizing your outdoor spaces.
Check Windows and Doors for Drafts
Drafty windows and doors can be a significant source of heat loss during the winter, making your heating system work harder to maintain a comfortable temperature. To minimize heat loss, inspect all windows and doors for gaps or cracks where cold air might sneak in.
Seal Gaps with Weatherstripping: Weatherstripping is an easy, affordable way to block drafts around doors and windows. It can be applied along the edges of doors and window frames to create a tight seal.
Use Caulking for Cracks: For any cracks around windows or door frames, apply caulking to prevent air leaks. This can help reduce your energy costs by keeping warm air inside.
Add Door Sweeps: Door sweeps are another great solution, especially for gaps under exterior doors. These attach to the bottom of doors and help keep out the chilly air.
Testing for drafts is easy—just light a candle and hold it near the edges of doors and windows. If the flame flickers, there’s likely an air leak that needs sealing. Blocking drafts will help you maintain a cozy home throughout the winter and keep those energy bills in check.
Replace Your Furnace Filter
One of the most important winter maintenance tasks is replacing your furnace filter. A clean filter is essential for energy efficiency and helps maintain good air quality inside your home.
Improve Efficiency: A dirty filter can obstruct airflow, making your furnace work harder to heat your home. Replacing the filter regularly ensures that your furnace operates efficiently, helping to save on energy costs.
Enhance Indoor Air Quality: During winter, when homes are closed up, indoor air quality can suffer. A new filter helps reduce dust, allergens, and other airborne particles, keeping the air inside your home fresher and healthier.
Most experts recommend changing your furnace filter every 1-3 months, but it’s especially important before winter starts. By keeping up with this simple task, you’ll enjoy a warmer home and lower heating bills.
Prepare Your Outdoor Spaces
Winterizing your outdoor spaces is just as important as preparing the inside of your home. Properly storing outdoor items will protect them from the elements and make spring cleanup a breeze.
Store Garden Tools and Hoses: Bring in all garden tools and drain any outdoor hoses. Leaving hoses connected to outdoor spigots can lead to freezing, which can damage the pipes.
Cover Outdoor Furniture: To protect your patio furniture from snow and ice, invest in durable furniture covers. Alternatively, bring smaller items indoors to prevent rust and weathering.
By taking a few minutes to secure your outdoor spaces, you’ll prolong the life of your garden tools and furniture while avoiding potential water damage to your home.
Test Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
With heaters and fireplaces in regular use, it’s essential to ensure that your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are functioning properly. Replace batteries and test each unit to make sure they’re in working order.
Replace Batteries: If you haven’t done so recently, put fresh batteries in all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
Check Expiration Dates: Many detectors have an expiration date. If yours are old, consider replacing them entirely.
Place in Key Locations: Be sure you have detectors in all essential areas of your home, such as the kitchen, hallways near bedrooms, and on each level of the home.
These detectors are vital for safety, and they offer peace of mind knowing that your home is protected from potential hazards.
Reverse Ceiling Fans
If you have ceiling fans, reversing their direction can help circulate warm air throughout your home. Most ceiling fans have a small switch on the base to change the direction. In the winter, set fans to run clockwise at a low speed. This will help pull warm air down from the ceiling and distribute it evenly, reducing the workload on your heating system.
Stay Cozy This Winter at Ash Street Housing Cooperative!
These simple home maintenance tips will help you prepare for winter while ensuring your Ash Street home stays cozy and energy-efficient all season long. With a bit of preparation, you can enjoy a warm, comfortable home and minimize the risk of winter-related issues.
If you're not yet a member of Ash Street Housing Cooperative, visit our office to learn how you can make this unique form of home ownership part of your life in the Chicago South Suburbs.
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