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Winter is coming and with it comes those dreadful degrees that could freeze your bones. No one wants to experience that, and your family doesn't have to. The following are a few home upgrades to consider before winter.
New Insulation
If you don't know the last time your insulation was updated, it's time to see if you can benefit from new insulation. At some point, insulation doesn't provide the warmth you expect.
This makes it harder to stay warm during winter because you use more heat than you anticipated, and you'll pay more for energy costs. The holidays are nearing, so this isn't the time to spend more than needed.
Upgrade the Furnace
Maybe your insulation is fine, but you might need a new furnace. If the furnace is too old or has too many issues, at some point, it won't heat your home as it did before.
Things could get uncomfortable if your furnace goes out in the middle of winter. Sure, it can be fixed in the winter, but it'll be an emergency, and there's no telling how long you'll have to wait to have warmth again. This can be dangerous in cold regions. For instance, you’ll definitely need a new furnace in Ottawa if your furnace breaks there. According to Climate Works, a company that specializes in furnace installations, “the last thing you want is to risk your home comfort during bitterly-cold streaks.”
Seal the Property
It's important to figure out if your home has any issues that could make it harder to keep heat in. You're looking for cracks, holes, or seal issues. You can have your home inspected to see if there are issues that must be addressed before the winter.
Keep in mind that sealing your home will also help keep energy costs low. The good thing is that this particular update is usually low cost, and that's something every homeowner loves to hear.
Pipe Insulation
Living where it snows means you have to worry about frozen pipes. It is wise to insulate your water pipes. The last thing you want to deal with is a water blockage, which can happen if you don't make this update.
Things could get worse from there. If you don't do this, sometimes, the pipes may burst. When this happens, you'll be dealing with more problems, including water damage. This can be costly to take care of.
Update Windows
It may be time to upgrade your windows. A professional can let you know if you need this. There are a few ways to get this done. For one, you could simply regraze them if you haven't done so. Doing this should help keep heat in.
You could also just replace your old windows if you've had them for some time now. Chances are that your windows are relatively thin if they are older. Newer windows are much thicker and can keep your home warmer. Thicker windows also increase safety.
Replace Air Filters
One of the easiest tasks yet one of the most overlooked ones involves air filters. These are relatively cheap and should be replaced every few months. To ensure you get the right filter, be sure to check the numbers on the old filter.
If you don't do this replacement, the furnace will work harder than it needs to keep your home warm. This will not only make your energy bill higher, but it can make your home colder because the hot air from your furnace will have a hard time getting through the dirty air filter. Have the filters replaced as soon as you can before the winter gets here.
Now, you have all the things you should do before the winter hits. Most of these are easy, and you'll be happy you did them.
Authors Bio: Sierra Powell
Sierra Powell graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a major in Mass Communications and a minor in Writing. When she's not writing, she loves to cook, sew, and go hiking with her dogs.
