During winter, it’s essential to keep your house warm. However, many homeowners often find warming up their homes a struggle. Frigid temperatures and strong winds can make your home uncomfortably chilly.
Fortunately, there are many ways to keep your house warm this winter. Aside from hiring the services of the best heating contractors Toms Brook, Virginia can provide, the following can make your home comfortable and cozy while allowing you to enjoy savings on utilities:
- Pay Attention to Your Windows
Since windows can contribute to heat loss during winter, keeping window treatments or curtains closed can help you keep the cold out. Make sure you’re not blocking the sun to bring warmth into your home.
In addition, homeowners must check their windows to ensure they’re properly locked. Properly locking windows helps seal them and prevents cold air from seeping in. If you live in an older home with single-pane windows, ensure that your screens are removed and the storm windows are on.
While it’s a time-consuming chore, installing storm windows provides another layer of protection against the cold. There are also available plastic insulation kits at many home improvement stores that are cheaper and may help prevent heat loss.
- Take Advantage of Programmable Thermostats
Programmable thermostats are designed to preset temperatures for various times of the day since you don’t have to keep your house at 68℉ (20°C) all the time. When using a programmable thermostat, pick a setting on the low end when you’re not home or sleeping and go with a high setting other times to enjoy savings from your heating bills.
Depending on your chosen unit, you can store up to four temperature settings daily. The only thing you need is a manual override switch. In terms of installation, you can do it yourself. You just follow the user’s manual. For more complex systems, you’ll need to contact heating professionals.
- Use the Right Curtains
Another way to keep your house warm is choosing the right type of curtain and how you use them. Opening your curtains every morning may help you heat your rooms naturally. However, never forget to close them in the evening as you might lose the heat when it starts getting colder outside.
If you think you’re losing heat through your windows, use heavier curtains to keep your house warm. It’s because when you close your curtains, you’ll be able to trap the air between the curtains and the windows. The cold may seep through with heavier curtains less quickly, and you can trap heat better.
- Seal Gaps and Drafts
Track down the drafts in your house, especially around your windows and doors. Make sure to seal them up. To do that, search for the right materials to purchase at a hardware store before you shop and get advice from professionals if necessary.
Sealing the gaps and drafts in your home will make your heating system efficient. Here are some of the products you can use:
- Auto-lift door seals
- Brush door seals
- Roller door seals
- Silicon sealant or caulk
- Weather seal tape
- Door snakes
If you’re not confident about your abilities or you’re only renting, draft strips or weather-seal tape are the best places to start to get your home ready for winter. They look like double-sided tape and are made from rubber or foam with an adhesive backing.
To install, get rid of the backing and stick the adhesive side inside the window frame or door jamb. It’s an excellent idea to measure up before hitting the shops. Every door may require about 5 m of tape to seal it properly. If you have a chimney, you can install a damper to close when the fire is off. When you’re not using your chimney often, you can opt for a chimney balloon instead.
- Insulate
During winter, some uninsulated houses lose warmth through their roof. Insulation can keep your home warm in winter, but it can also keep your house cool during the summer. Even if it’s quite expensive, it’s worth the investment. If you’re planning to spend money on air conditioning and heating, you can make it as cost-effective as possible by insulating your house.
Insulation is best installed when renovating or building but can be retrofitted to any existing house. However, it should be done by professionals, even if you have some experience. Keep in mind that DIY insulation can be messy, uncomfortable, and hot. Plus, there can be other risks to your health and safety. With the help of professionals, you don’t need to worry about such things and rest assured that your home will be insulated properly.
Endnote
Keeping your house warm and efficient during winter is never simple, but once you implement the strategies discussed above, keeping your house comfortable and warm will be much easier. Make sure to ask for professional help in case you encounter issues with your heating system. This way, you’ll be able to beat the cold before it beats you.
