Indiana winter is coming! We are past due for one of those harsh Indiana winters that we get every couple of years, so it is time to start preparing your home for winter. Because we can occasionally get subzero temperatures early, it is crucial that you are preparing your home for winter during the fall. Yes, this does mean that you have to do some tedious outdoor work, but we bet you will be thankful when your house is weatherproof this winter.
While we can’t avoid all winter-related issues, there are a couple of things you can do to be prepared. Maybe you have done some of these things already, but we might have a couple of new tips and tricks for you. Fall doesn’t mean that your outdoor chores are finished. Preparing your home for winter this fall might even lower your utility bills this winter!
Tune Up Your Heater
Checking out your heater may seem like an obvious tip, but many people forget about their heater before winter. Forgetting about your heater has risky consequences if your heater goes out on the coldest day of the year. A heating and cooling technician can check on your heater for a low cost. This will help give you peace of mind when winter comes, or you can have the heater fixed before it becomes a problem.
Reverse Your Ceiling Fans
We love this tip! Because it is something that we don’t think about often, you should try it this fall. During the summer, fans usually turn clockwise, and many people leave them turning this direction, but the get the best use out of them in the winter, you should reverse them. When a fan turns counterclockwise, this pushes the warm air trapped by the ceiling down. If you have a vaulted ceiling with a ceiling fan, this could save you a fortune! Check out this article to learn how to reverse your ceiling fan.
Check Out Your Roof
Checking out your roof during the fall is essential, and we cannot stress this enough. If you are experienced enough to check your roof, you should be looking for any signs of damage that need repairing. If you don’t feel comfortable getting onto your roof, then check it your call a local roof company for an inspection. They will check the roof out and quote you how much it would cost to repair it.
Look for Gaps Around Window and Doors
One way to keep your house warmer during the winter is to check all your exterior doors and windows. Look for gaps or holes that may be in the caulking around your doors and windows. These gaps are easily fixed with some additional caulking. These tips will save you money and keep your house warmer, ensuring that your heat is not leaking out through small gaps and holes around doors and windows.
Clean the Gutters
We know that cleaning gutters is one of the more tedious chores. You have to dig out the ladder and spend hours removing leaves and debris from the gutters around your home. Leaving a buildup of debris or leaves can damage your siding, roof or wood trim, costing you thousands of dollars to repair. This is even more important for homeowners who have a lot of trees around their house. Make sure that you get out the ladder this fall and check out those gutters.
Turn Off Exterior Faucets
Make sure to turn off those exterior faucets. Leaving them full of water during the winter can cause the pipes to expand and bust. Busted pipes will be much more tedious and expensive to get replaced than simply draining the faucets before the first frost. Please remember that some homes older than 10-15 years might not have a frost-resistant faucet. In these cases, you want to make sure you turn the shut-off valve that can be found inside your home.
Restock Winter Essentials
Restocking winter essentials isn’t a chore but more of a safety precaution. We can all know when winter storms blow in; people clean out the stores of all supplies. Especially for those who live far from a grocery store, it is essential to stock up during the fall—ensuring that you have nonperishable items that can be used in the case of a blizzard or snow-in. Having these extra nonperishable items around the kitchen will give you peace of mind moving into the wintertime.
Get More Information
For all of our native Indiana residents, these tips may seem obvious. But for those who have never experienced a cold winter or owned their own home, these are essential steps that you can take to ensure your safety and lower your electric bill.
If you are interested in purchasing a home or selling a home in East Central Indiana, learn more about American Heritage Realty. We have been in operation since 1977, and we have the expertise and technology to help you buy a home or sell a home. Get to know us!