When it is getting into winter, you need to make sure that you are actually going to be ready for it, and there are many things you can do to fully winterize your home. Even if you are pretty much set up for winter already from last year, there are always some checks that are definitely worth making if you want to ensure you are truly ready for the colder months. In this post, we will look through what some of these might be so that you can much more effectively get your home ready for the winter.
One of the most important things to focus on is your home’s insulation. If it is not appropriately and fully insulated, you will struggle to keep the place warm once you are really in the depths of winter. You might well have insulation already, but even if you do, you need to make sure that it is actually going to be good enough. Otherwise, you might want to think about having new spray foam insulation installed before it gets too cold. As long as you do that, warming the home will be a lot easier – and cheaper.
1 – Service The HVAC System or Boiler
Of course, heating the home will be difficult if you don’t have a functioning HVAC system or a working boiler. In fact, this is why the autumn and early winter is an excellent time to make doubly sure that your boiler is actually fully working and that it will be able to provide you with hot water and central heating. The best way to do this is to get a gas plumber in to service the boiler. Bear in mind that this is not the kind of thing you can do yourself without training. Indeed, this task can be hazardous, so get a professional to do it–don’t DIY this task.
2 – Stock Up On Fuel For The Fire
As well as the central heating, you might also have other means of heating the home, such as a fireplace or a wood burner. If so, you should make sure that you have enough fuel for the winter, and it is best to stock up as much as you possibly can as early as possible. Dried and cured wood is an excellent form of fuel that is easy to burn.
You might also invest in a backup generator that can power a small, clean-burning electric heater to keep one room of the home warm during an unforeseen HVAC or boiler breakdown or power outage.
3 – Avoid Cracked Pipes
One issue that can happen in winter is that your pipes can freeze. When this happens, they might expand, and as they do so, they can crack. This can cause leaks and even flood your home if you are not careful, so it is best to avoid it. This is a simple case of constantly keeping a small amount of heat flowing through the pipes, especially when temperatures get below zero.
In addition, you might wrap your pipes in insulation–this one-time winter preparation task can give you much peace of mind. And that way, your lines should be safer and less likely to crack.
