Preparing Your Home for Winter: A KC Homeowner’s Guide
With winter just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about preparing your home for the colder months ahead. From conducting crucial maintenance tasks to implementing energy-saving strategies, there are plenty of ways to ensure that your home remains cozy, efficient, and well-maintained throughout the winter season. Here are seven items and maintenance tips to add to your seasonal home checklist to help you get your place Midwest winter-ready.
Conduct a Home Maintenance Check
Start by conducting a thorough inspection of your home to identify any areas that may need attention before winter sets in. This can include checking the roof for loose or missing shingles, cleaning out gutters to prevent ice dams, and sealing any gaps or cracks around windows and doors to keep the warm air in and the cold air out.
Service Your Heating System
It’s essential to have your heating system serviced before the cold weather hits. Consider scheduling a professional maintenance check to ensure that your furnace or heat pump is in good working condition. Clean or replace air filters regularly to help your heating system operate efficiently. According to most HVAC professionals, you should get your home’s heating system inspected at least once a year. So why not make it right before things get chilly?
Winterize Your Plumbing
Lots of holiday meal prep is on the way. Do your part to keep your kitchen faucet flowing freely by winterizing your plumbing. To prevent frozen pipes, insulate any exposed pipes and consider using heat tape or cables in areas that are prone to freezing. Moving to the outside of your home, make sure to disconnect and drain outdoor hoses, and shut off outdoor water valves to prevent freezing and potential pipe damage.
Enhance Your Insulation
Ensuring your home is properly insulated can make a significant difference in energy efficiency. Consider adding insulation to your attic, walls, and basement or crawl space to keep the heat inside your home. Adding or enhancing your current insulation can help prevent drafts and maintain consistent indoor temperatures. Additionally, weatherstripping doors and windows can also help prevent drafts and conserve energy.
Install Programmable Thermostats
Installing programmable thermostats throughout your home can help you save on heating costs by automatically adjusting the temperature when you are away or sleeping. Set your thermostat to lower the temperature when you’re not home, and program it to raise the temperature when you return. Oftentimes, energy suppliers will have deals or discounts for upgrading your household thermostats.
Seal Air Leaks
Check for drafts around windows, doors, and electrical outlets, and use caulking or weatherstripping to seal any air leaks. This simple step can help reduce heat loss and save on energy costs.
Maximize Sunlight
While Daylight Savings leaves us with less daylight, you can still use that natural light to help your home during the wintertime. During the day, open curtains or blinds on south-facing windows to let natural sunlight in and help warm your home. Close them in the evening to retain the heat.
Prepare Your Home for Winter in Kansas City
Winter wonders are aplenty in Kansas City but when you’re home, make sure you’re staying warm and cozy by following a few of these homeowner’s checklist items! Implementing these home winter prep tips can help you prepare your Kansas City home for winter, ensuring that it remains comfortable, energy-efficient, and well-maintained throughout the colder months. By taking these proactive steps, you can enjoy a cozy and cost-effective winter season while minimizing potential issues that may arise due to the cold weather.
Team Blake isn’t just here to offer you homeowner’s guides to staying cozy indoors! As a team of real estate professionals and self-proclaimed Kansas City ambassadors, we offer a library of resources to ensure that you’re getting the most out of your current home, Kansas City, and potential real estate moves. For instance, need a place to entertain visiting friends for the holidays? Check out Team Blake’s Guide to Jazz in Kansas City. Additionally, if you’ve been considering a move to a new home in the near future, take a look at our blog on Buying a Home While Selling Your Own.
With an optimistic outlook, and a “go-get-it” attitude, we hope Team Blake can be your first call when you’re looking for real estate advice or just a great place to have dinner in KC. If you’re interested in learning more about the Kansas City area or are considering buying a new home or selling your current home, please contact us today!
