6 Ways to Prepare Your Home for Winter

When the days start to get colder and shorter, it’s time to start preparing your home for winter. Preparing properly ahead of time means you will be comfortable and warm when the chill really sets in. Winterizing your home helps to keep your energy bills low, and many of the tasks are not that difficult to do. They can also prevent you from having to do costly remedial work down the line. 

1. Check your heating system

Whatever heating system you use, you need to check whether it’s still in good working order. Waiting to turn on the heat until it gets really cold is a mistake as you need time to fix any potential problems. For example, you will need to service your boiler, and you may even need to replace it.

In addition to this, you also need to ensure that you have enough heating oil for the boiler. Look for an affordable home heating oil delivery service provider in your area and place your order in advance. This will ensure that you have an adequate supply of oil throughout the season.

How you choose to heat your home is important not only for keeping you warm in winter in the most energy-efficient way but for making sure you keep your energy bills as low as possible. Electric heaters are very efficient in terms of how they convert energy into heat, so many people choose to use them today. 
If you can’t afford to use electric radiators throughout your house, think about installing one in your bathroom. The electric bathroom radiators from Best Electric Radiators, Haverland or Ecostrad will heat your bathroom and dry your towels. You will no longer have to freeze while trying to dry off with a damp towel.

2. Make sure your home is sealed tight

To save on your heating bill, make sure that cold air can’t find its way into your home. Prevent chilly draughts by checking your windows and doors and seeing if any window catches need replacing or any weatherstripping is worn. Caulk any cracks and replace worn weather stripping. Doors may need a draft guard to prevent those sneaky drafts from coming in underneath. Draught-proofing your home keeps heat from escaping, and your energy bills will be lower.
If your windows are showing signs of condensation inside the glass, you will probably need to upgrade them as you will risk losing a lot of heat.

3. Clean your gutters and downpipes

It is important to clear any debris from gutters and downspouts to prevent them from sagging and leaking. Clogged gutters prevent water from draining properly, and when rains are heavy, this can cause extensive damage. Your downspouts should extend away from your house to ensure that the water does not run into the foundations but away from the house.

4. Insulate your pipes

As the cold weather sets in, the water in pipes may freeze and cause them to burst. A burst pipe can cause so much damage in a matter of minutes. When the pressure becomes too much for your plumbing, you can have water gushing out exactly where you don’t want it. You need to insulate your pipes, especially if you are located in very cold areas. Pipes in uninsulated loft spaces and garages are particularly vulnerable. You can easily buy foam pipe lagging from most DIY stores and do the job yourself, especially if you are considering affordable financing options for conversions. 

5. Check your roof

With a pair of binoculars, you can look and see if any flashing is lifted and if there are missing or loose roof slates or tiles that could lead to leaks in winter. It can be dangerous to get up on your roof and try to fix any damage yourself. It’s better to call in professionals to fix your roof before winter. They will also be able to pick up any problems you may not be aware of. Missing or broken tiles, cracked caulk etc., need repairing so as to mitigate the disaster leaks could cause in winter. 

6. Don’t forget the yard

Take a good look around your yard and see if you need to prune any tree branches or bushes. You don’t want them to break and fall into your roof or electrical wires during heavy winds. Make sure any outdoor faucets aren’t leaking, disconnect your garden hoses and drain the remaining water. If you have expensive outdoor furniture, make sure you cover it with a waterproof covering or store it away for the winter.