Is Your Home Ready for Winter?

3. Upgrading The Thermostat

Upgrading your thermostat may seem like an odd suggestion, but thermostat temperatures contribute immensely to the energy usage of a home. With new technology on the market, there are thermostats with capabilities that automatically adjust temperatures in accordance with sleep schedules, work schedules, and more. By turning down your thermostat 15 degrees for 8 hours a day, such as during when you sleep, you can save up to 15% on your energy bill annually. Upgrading to a programmable thermostat can solve this problem without having to remember.

4. Test The Snow Blower

It’s easy to forget about the hassle snow can create when we are just coming out of a beautiful fall. Checking that your snow blower has a full canister of fuel and will start before snow begins falling is a huge time saver and preventative stress measure. Waiting until a snowstorm strikes to learn that your snow blower does not work or is out of gasoline can be incredibly costly because snow removal companies charge top dollar during a storm.

5. Check Drafts

Front doors, sliding doors, bedroom windows, these are a few examples of the many ways drafts enter your home. Repairing drafts can be costly, but the long-term savings in your heating budget is worth it. There are many DIY methods that are affordable options, like buying shrinkwrap window kits to seal your windows or using weather stripping. More permanent solutions are better in the long run, but whichever route you choose, solving the draft issues in your home is an enormous cost-saver.

Setting aside an hour this month to prepare your home for winter is worth your while. These five reminders will keep you ahead of the game, and make sure you are getting the most out of your heating system.