As we enter into the autumn months, it’s understandable that we have our minds firmly set on the colder months ahead. Sure, there is a lot to look forward to with the festive season looming, and now more than ever we need to keep our spirits high and make the most of the holidays ahead. But winter poses a lot of threats to our home. Harsh weather and darker days mean that we are more susceptible to problems within our home. Unless we take time out to put things in place to protect our homes.
Not all of us prioritize making our home safe and secure in the winter. Not all of us think about the extended time we will spend indoors as the weather begins to turn. Comfort is key, safety is paramount, and also trying to ensure that we do all that we can to avoid problems with our health and home in the future. With that in mind, here are some of the top tips to help you “Winterproof” your home.
Image source – pixabay – cco license
Start with the interiors
Let’s start with the interiors of our homes and getting them ready for winter. You may be wondering what you can do, but there are a lot of ways that you can implement comfort and warmth into your home with the interior touches that you add. You may want to pull out the blankets, add extra cushions or even style your home in line with the seasons. It can actually be quite a fun thing to do and with many of us spending more time inside, it could be the ideal way to feel more at ease throughout the winter in our homes. You could also look at candles and create a cosy environment for you to enjoy in the evenings.
Protect your home
Another thing that you should consider doing would be to look at ways of improving the security of your home. As the weather gets colder, the nights get darker, and with the festive period looming, it may be time to upgrade the alarm system or add some cameras to your home. This can help you to feel safer and more assured, especially when you are not at home. A lot of us have to deal with the fact that winter is on its way and it presents the perfect opportunity for people to take advantage when it is clear you are not at home.
Your smart devices in your home can also help with that with plugs and bulbs that you can control from your smartphone. This can give the added advantage of switching lights on as the weather gets darker. You can also control your heating from your phone now with some providers, which means you arrive in a toasty environment instead of a cold space.
Clear out your gutters and drains
Drainage can become a huge problem during the winter months ahead. The excessive rain can cause your gutters and drains to work harder. But at this time of year, your drains and gutters are more likely to become blocked due to the leaves falling on the floor and additional debris. This is why it is important to ensure you clear out your gutters and drains regularly. Allowing the water to drain away quickly and effectively. This can help you to avoid issues of flooding in your garden or around your home. Do this now and then keep on top of it until all the leaves and debris have disappeared off the leaves. It can also help to stop things from getting blocked and freezing on colder days.
Get your garden ready
The winter poses a lot of problems when it comes to harsher weather. Most specifically the increase of wind speed. So it’s essential to ensure you cut back any overgrown trees and bushes. You might also want to consider putting away or covering up any outside furniture you may have. This will help protect it from the cold and wet weather, which can cause damage like rust to certain materials like metal.
Program your heating system
Many modern heating systems have thermostats that will allow you to program your heating. Not only does this save you money on your energy bills, but it can ensure that your house remains warm as and when you need it to be. Many people tend to have their heating come on early morning to ensure a warm house and hot water. Having the temperature at a consistent level should allow you to regulate the heat in your home. Keeping it nice and toasty throughout the times it is occupied. We have also recognized that many heating systems can now be controlled from an app on your phone, so this can give you greater control on the rising energy costs that ultimately come with the winter months.
Upgrade your doors and windows
Heat can escape through older windows and doors; much like cold drafts can get in. This is why it might be time to consider upgrading your windows and doors to a more energy efficient alternative. Double glazing and UPVC options help keep the cold out and the warmth inside. This is when expert providers such as Prescott Window could come in handy to help you get a quote and install new windows and doors before the winter sets in. Also, this could have a big impact on your energy bills as you may find you use less heating throughout the colder months ahead. So it could be a worthwhile investment.
Add insulation
Insulation in the roof is another way to ensure that heat stays in your home. Heat has a habit of rising and could escape through uninsulated areas of your home. Avoid this by making sure you are covered. Your attic space is one of the biggest areas that this can happen, but also consider walls and any draft points in your home that could be causing you a problem.
Let’s hope this has provided you with some essential advice for making sure your home is ready for the winter months ahead.
Kori
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