Essential Winter Preparations for your Home
It’s time to get a jump start on preparing for winter by taking care of a few things in and around the house. It’s almost December, and the temperature will drop below 0 degrees Celsius before you know it! We’ve compiled a checklist so you can enjoy the snow and not worry about your home.
Indoors
There is a lot to be done before mother nature hits us with snow, and getting a few simple tasks taken care of before the snow falls, will give you peace of mind.
The Furnace: First things first. Check your furnace. Chances are you haven’t turned it on yet, well now is the time. Simply turn the thermostat to heat and set it to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. You should hear the furnace kick in and feel warm air flowing through the vents within minutes. If there are any issues, call your furnace company right away as you don’t want to be without heat when you need it most. Once you have tested the furnace, replace the air filter. A dirty air filter can have your furnace working overtime, shortening its lifespan, costing you money.
Thermostat: Program your thermostat! Have the heat on a much lower temperature when you are not home and turned up for when you are home. By turning the heat up only when you are home, you can save as much as 30 per cent on your heating bill. Setting the temperature to 60 degrees Fahrenheit when you are not home, can save you as much as 20 per cent on your heating bill. Also be sure to change the direction of all your ceiling fans. In the winter they should be running in a clockwise direction, helping to create an updraft to circulate heat better.
Fire & Carbon Monoxide Detectors: Replace all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in your home and test to ensure good working order.
Outdoors
Now that you’ve finished the most important tasks inside, it's very important to focus your attention outside, especially before the snow falls. We’ve created a quick checklist to make sure all your chores are done outside so you can start enjoying winter on your property.
- Drain the gas out of your lawn mower, or drive it until it’s out of gas.
- Drain all water fountains, pumps, and hoses. Head down to the basement to turn off the outside water valve.
- Remove leaves from your lawn. Fallen leaves that stay on your grass for a prolonged period of time have the potential to kill your grass.
- Cover shrubs and small trees with burlap.
- Cut down perennials and apply mulch to garden beds.
- Cover the air conditioner unit.
- Clean out all the gutters. It is important to do this after the leaves have fallen and before the snow falls. Clean gutters will help prevent ice dams that can lead to water damage in the attic, ceiling, and walls.
- Give your deck a quick once over. How does it look? If needed, reseal your deck before winter
- Clean and then store, or cover, all outdoor furniture
Don’t forget to have these items handy!
Winter Essentials:
- A snow shovel
- Salt for your walkway
- A winter doormat - With rough texture will help remove mud and slush from shoes before entering the house.
