There’s no doubt that the climate is changing and subjecting us to new weather patterns that can put our lives in danger, and extremely cold temperatures are one of them. If you’re a homeowner, then it’s essential that you understand how cold temperatures can affect your house so you can make the proper modifications to protect your family and your property. Here are some important tips and considerations to implement to ensure survival in cold weather.
Prepare For Winter
There are many maintenance tips to consider before winter hits to ensure that your family stays warm throughout the season.
One of them is to get your heating system serviced so it can run at peak proficiency. Another easy tactic is to reverse your ceiling fans. It’s a simple trick, but by doing so, the fan produces an updraft that pushes the heated air from the ceiling down into the rooms. This is also an excellent time to have your roof inspected. Have a professional inspect it for damaged or missing shingles because the cold air can sneak through during the winter.
You may also choose this time to complete some home renovations that make the cold season more tolerable, such as updating the appearance of your fireplace or adding a hot beverage station to your kitchen so you can have warm drinks when you need them. More extreme renovations may include completely replacing your roof or updating and insulating the basement.
Funding Your Renovations
Many of these winterization projects can be costly, but it’s important that you do what you can for your family, so if you don’t have the funds available, consider taking out a line of credit. It’s a good way to get a lump sum you can pay off over time. Before you sign the dotted line, you must know a few credit card facts.
For instance, the more you borrow and the closer you get to your credit limit, the more impact it can have on your credit score, and it could dip further than you’d like. That’s an issue if you plan to borrow more money again. It’s best to plan how to pay off the debt so your score can improve over time. Also, remember that, as long as it falls within the cardholder agreement, the card issuer can lower your credit limit, so know where you stand before you spend.
Essential Winterization Projects
Climate change can affect your home in many ways, and you need to make the proper fixes to ensure that your property or family isn’t at risk. One of the most damaging issues is when cold temperatures cause pipes to freeze and burst. If that happens, it can lead to water damage and ruin your walls. To prevent burst pipes, add insulation to water tanks and around pipes, especially in unheated areas like the garage or loft. If you’ll be away from your home during a winter vacation, leave the heat on low and consider having a friend or neighbor check on the house periodically.
During the coldest months, when you have the heater going all day, it’s essential that you prepare your home so you don’t waste any energy. Start at the windows and doors. Inspect those areas to ensure there isn’t any air escaping. To be sure, caulk around the windows and doors and add weather stripping to prevent leakage. Doing so will prevent your heater from the need to work harder than necessary. If it does, it could wear out faster. You’ll also likely be faced with higher utility bills.
While most people tend to focus on the house’s interior, it’s also important to winterize the outside. As winter approaches, clean out your gutters, or the mix of debris and ice can weigh them down and potentially lead to water damage. If you have a shed, winterize like you do with your home because the machinery or lawn furniture inside can be negatively affected by cold and ice. Add weather stripping and caulk around all openings to prevent leakage. Do the same around your garage doors.
Avoid Wasted Energy And Use Green Solutions
Since climate change is often caused by overusing electricity and wasting energy, you can winterize your home with green tactics and be a part of the solution. For instance, adding solar panels to your house is a great way to fight climate change by using the sun’s power instead of the electric company to heat and light your home.
Another solution is to be strategic with how you use energy. Consider installing a smart thermostat. You can program it to lower the heat when you and your family are out of the house and then raise the temperature when you return. That way, you’re not wasting energy on an empty home.
Finally, if you want to leave no stone unturned, consider having a professional home energy assessment completed. An expert will check out your property and advise of any shortcomings so you can make appropriate changes and ensure peak energy efficiency.
Conclusion
You can do a lot to winterize your home and prepare for the colder season, but you must get started sooner rather than later. Make your home energy efficient, and you’ll make your life easier while also doing your part to fight climate change.
Iskra Banović is our seasoned Editor-in-Chief at Blufashion. She has been steering the website’s content and editorial direction since 2018. With a rich background in fashion design, Iskra’s expertise spans across fashion, interior design, beauty, lifestyle, travel, and culture.
