Home Improvement: How to Approach During the Winter
January 9, 2019
Many people associate home improvement projects with warmer weather, but there is always something to be done when you are a homeowner. Whether it’s trimming back branches with your electric chainsaw or putting down winter fertilizer, there is still work to be done during the winter months. Starting this work at the beginning of the year gives you time to get back to things you missed in the fall and get started on your upcoming home improvement plans.
Colder weather also causes unique problems for many homeowners. Protecting your home from the elements at the beginning of the winter is a great way to reduce the likelihood of something going wrong later in the season. Start with these home improvement projects to get ready for the upcoming season and beyond.
Turn Off or Insulate Pipes
Frozen pipes cause billions of dollars in damages every year. Luckily, they’re also relatively simple to prevent. If the temperature in your area is expected to approach or go below freezing, you should apply foam insulation to all exterior spigots and pipes which could be affected.
The ones inside your house are a less obvious target for insulation, but pipes in areas such as basements, crawl spaces, and attics can also burst at low temperatures. Thoroughly check the interior and exterior of your house at the beginning of the season, and simply turn off outside spigots you aren’t planning to use.
Update Your Thermostat
While heating is necessary in the winter months, wasted heat and energy in general are responsible for high environmental and economic costs. Running your heater when you’re outside the house substantially inflates your energy bill at the end of the month, and this common issue can be largely addressed using a programmable thermostat.
Programmable thermostats allow you to change the temperature at any time by using the thermostat. Some also give you the opportunity to control them using a mobile application. You can install one on your own, and the money you spend on this process will likely be outweighed by the energy savings.
Add Insulation to Crawl Spaces and Attics
Most homeowners don’t have anywhere near an adequate amount of insulation in their home. Insufficient insulation allows warm air to escape your house, and you should consider adding to your existing insulation in areas like attics, basements, and crawl spaces. Insulation is measured by R-Values, and you can find the right type of insulation for your home here.
Winter is a great time to work on the home improvement projects you’ve always wanted to do, and getting started early in the season with these important projects will give you more time in the upcoming months. These simple tips alone will be enough to keep your home warmer and reduce your energy bill.
Content provided by guest blogger Anita Franco who is passionate about sharing her knowledge of DIY home maintenance with the online community.
