We know summer has just ended but the upcoming colder months are already on our mind. Luckily, our resident renovation expert, Howie Track, shared his top tips for making sure our homes are properly prepared for winter.
How can we get our homes ready for winter?
Over the next month it would be a good idea to start thinking about how the change in temperature is going to affect your house. Time to clean the furnace, check the level of the oil tank, and start stocking up on kindling and logs for the fireplace. This is a great time to call an HVAC company to service your HVAC unit because you don’t want to wait until the end of November when everyone is calling for winter maintenance. Plus, HVAC companies are not exactly bogged down with A/C repairs right now as we didn’t have a very hot summer.
In addition, it's also very important to check the seals around your windows and doors. The better your house is sealed from the outside, the better you'll be able to maintain a constant temperature, which means you'll use the furnace less. This will translate into more comfortable living and will save you money.
Expert Trick: To test for drafts, light a match, then blow it out, and slowly move it around the seams of the window. A draft will distort the stream of smoke. If you have drafts, you can visit most hardware stores, such as The Home Depot or Lowes, and buy window caulking, weather stripping and/or plastic window covering kits.
Howie Track is a Contractor and Owner of Traxel Construction. For more information, visit www.traxelconstruction.com.
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