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Getting energy ready for winter; is your home winter-proof?
As magical and amazing Canadian winters are, they are also unbearably cold. A warm and a cozy abode is an essential in order to survive the fiery cold weather. Now that fall is officially here, and leaving already, it’s time to prepare your home for cold weather. People remember to bundle themselves up, but leave their houses to the last minute. These steps, most of which you can do yourself, will help lower your utility bills and protect your investment, all the while keeping you warm and cozy. Winterizing homes is not only for detached houses, but also for condos, and semi-detached houses.
First and foremost is to ensure tightly enclosed windows. Plenty of windows bring in a lot of bright light for your home; however, as the temperatures take a downward fall, they also leach out a lot of the heat from your home, and let in the cold from the outside. One of the most important things to do for your home is to have your windows waterproofed from the inside and out. The easiest way is to look into local hardware stores for some easy-to-apply windows insulation film which coats the glass of your windows like a sticker and reduces the transfer of heat. Another common reason which causes heat loss during the winter months is the drafts and the air that comes in. In order to prevent heat transfer, it is necessary to seal any sources that bring in the drafts and the air.
Hardwood, laminate, and concrete floors are more popular finishing options for many houses and condos these days, but those hard, dense surfaces can get pretty chilly, pretty fast. (Anyone who has woken up and put their bare feet to the floor without slippers can attest to this!) Regardless of the fact that carpets may not be a part of your décor scheme, take the opportunity to switch things in the fall, adding some worthwhile insulation as well as some texture and colour to update the look of your room.
A humidifier is not only a great way to improve the air quality of your home; it also helps to add a little warmth to your room, without the need to crank up the heater the max. This is good for one big reason: as the mercury dips, the air tends to get drier—a condition that’s only made worse with heaters, and which can affect both your lungs and your good wood furniture. Be sure to monitor the moisture though: too much can lead to damaging condensation on windows and drywall.
You don’t necessarily have to spend money to save money; try to think of some low- or no-cost ways to get your home ready for the cooler months. Another great way is by setting any ceiling fans to spin clockwise, which push the warmer air that’s up closer to the ceiling down to the floor, making a room feel more comfortable. (This also works the opposite way in the summer.) Another is to make sure you keep any draped windows open during prime sunlight hours, to catch as much warm light as possible. The last is to simply heed your parent’s advice: any time you’re tempted to turn up the thermostat, try putting on a sweater instead, however, avoid the need to put on too many sweaters. And most importantly, make sure to have you heating system in check before the winter chills arrive.
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