This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Trane Residential. All opinions are 100% mine.
I’ve put together an easy “getting your house ready for winter checklist” since cold weather will soon be here. It’s filled with tips to prepare your home for winter and bonus tips on keeping warm in cold weather.
Preparing a home for cold weather is not just for northern homes. People who live in the south should also prepare for the cold weather too. Why not stop an issue before it becomes an emergency, especially when it can save time and money?
I’ve learned the hard way…a few times!
Getting Your House Ready For Winter Checklist
For more posts on home maintenance check out How to Weatherize Windows With Plastic Film , High-Tech Choices For HVAC, and How To Install a Tankless Water Heater
True story: When I started the North House Lodge in Vermont I had no idea what I should do to get a house ready for winter. I kind of learned the hard way. We’ve had a flooded basement in the winter when there was ice and snow outside. I’ve run out of propane in my tanks in 5 degree weather. Neither was fun and both cost more money than if I’d prepared well to begin with.
Now, we use a winter checklist like the one I’m sharing below to make sure everything is ready for winter and the cold months ahead. It helps to have a good list of what to do and check it off as we finish each item, especially since I live in Florida and travel to Vermont every few months.
Download this free checklist to get your home ready for winter. Post it on the refrigerator and and check off the items as you work through them.
How to prepare your home for winter
- Have your HVAC serviced now before it turns cold and everyone is calling for repairs at the last minute. If it’s time for an HVAC or heat pump upgrade, consider calling a Trane Comfort Specialist near you to learn about the energy efficient choices available you and your home’s particular needs.
- Filters need to be changed in the winter too! Order a supply of them now to have on hand. I recommend swapping them out at least every 30 days or so to ensure your system can work efficiently and effectively and provide a better level of indoor air quality, The right filter can help ease allergy and asthma symptoms by trapping unwanted airborne triggers like dust, pollen, bacteria and mold.
- Check the ductwork in your home to ensure that it is all connected and properly sized. We learned that ours was not! Ductwork plays a crucial role in determining how comfortable your home is from room to room, so this is definitely not something to overlook. Repair, replace or add ducting as necessary!
- Install a smart thermostat like the XL824 Thermostat from Trane. It will allow you to to heat your home more efficiently by scheduling it to maintain the perfect temperature when you’re there and lower the heat when you’re away or sleeping.
- Test and change batteries on smoke detectors and carbon monoxide sensors.
- Turn off outdoor faucets and shut valves, put away hoses, drain sprinkler systems.
- Clean the gutters.
- Have fireplaces inspected, keep flues closed when not in use. Order firewood now. Even gas fireplaces need to be serviced!
- Insulate water pipes in drafty and cold areas. We insulated our pipes in the basement up at the North House Lodge just recently!
- Trim trees away from roofline and gutters
- Stock up on salt, snow shovels and check your snow blower to make sure it’s working. Read these Tips and Hacks to Get Rid of Snow and Ice.
- Rake and remove leaves from the yard.
- Test your sump pump. We’ve flooded in winter!
Tips to keep a home warm in winter
- Find drafty spots and seal them! Check light switches and electrical outlets, if you feel cold air escaping from them, seal them. An electrical outlet and wall plate insulating kit uses thin foam pads to eliminate cold drafts out.
- Check doors and weather stripping. If you can see outside cold air can get in. Here are a few easy ways to deal with drafty spots.
- Use a door sweep to block the gaps at the floor.
- Change out the weather stripping.
- Use a draft snake for window sills.
- Use rope caulk for big gaps around windows, then caulk to seal them.
- Once the temperature drops, it’s still important to continue to change air filters monthly to ensure optimal airflow and to feel confident that the air you’re breathing is especially clean. Try a Trane Comfort Performance Filter, that traps dust, pollen and bacteria. They’re compatible with Trane or any standard HVAC systems.
- Open curtains in day to let heat in from sunlight.
- Move furniture away from heat vents that could block the warm air circulation.
- Close vents to rooms that aren’t used, why heat rooms that are not used?
- Reverse ceiling fans to push warm air down.
- Invest in a few warm throws for sofas. They are pretty and useful.
- Add an extra layer or two to bedding. It looks pretty and keeps you warmer at night.
The best way to keep warm in winter and avoid cold weather realted problems is to prepare.
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Use my getting your home ready for winter checklist as a guide. You’ll be more comfortable and have less stress knowing you’re well prepared for the cold months ahead.
