As we move into fall and winter, we’re going to spend more time staying cozy inside. Learn about the 3 easiest and best ways to keep your home comfortable and cozy as it gets colder.
Fall and winter are quickly approaching, which means colder weather. While most of us spend the summer outside enjoying the warmth, cold weather sends us inside to stay cozy and warm. Unfortunately, some homes need extra work in order to keep us comfortable as it gets cold. Keep reading to learn about three ways to keep your home comfortable as it gets colder.
Add Insulation into The Walls
Studies have found that 90 percent of American homes are under-insulated. That means your home doesn’t stay as cold in the summer or as hot in the winter and that means money lost. To keep up with your comfort level, your heating and cooling systems must work much harder to get your home to the temperature you want. Help your HVAC system and yourself by scheduling an energy audit to see where your home needs more insulation.
Energy auditors will probably bring additional suggestions to help keep your home comfortable and save you money, such as fixing drafts around windows and using eco-friendlier light bulbs. They also may suggest additional home improvements like an insulated garage door to provide further protection against outside temperatures. Take their considerations seriously if you want to be comfortable in your home.
Increase Sunlight
Most people keep their shades and curtains closed to help maintain privacy, which I completely understand. And while privacy is a good thing, sunlight in the winter can help keep your home naturally warmer, lessening the strain on your HVAC system.
If you have shades you keep drawn or an awning that you keep out, consider drawing and retracting them so more sunlight can get into your home. And it goes the opposite in summer: keep the window shades and draperies drawn when the sun is out to keep sunlight and heat from coming into your home.
Close them at night to maintain your privacy since the light from inside will make it easier for people to see in. Closing them will also add an extra layer of protection around the warmth you’ve built all day.
Maintain Your Furnace Quality and Upkeep
Most homes use a boiler and a furnace to keep you comfortable all winter long. Problems with these appliances, especially your furnace, can result in some chilly temperatures, so make sure your furnace is fixed up and ready for colder months.
Replace your furnace filter if you haven’t done so in three months, and mark down when you change it so you’ll know when to do so in the future. To keep track, add it to your online calendar (along with replacement batteries for your CO2 meter and fire detectors!) or you can easily write it on a sticky note and put it near your furnace.
Additionally, check the ductwork connected to the furnace as well, as some ductwork has dampers that you need to adjust in different seasons.
Adding insulation, increasing sunlight, and fixing your furnace are three ways to keep your home comfortable as it gets colder. Even those who enjoy cooler weather will appreciate coming home to a house that’s well insulated, bathed in sunlight, and with proper working appliances. While there are other ways to keep your home comfortable this winter, these three improvements are a great place to start.