As the year comes to an end and winter approaches, you may be dreading the cold. This is understandable since, in areas like Michigan, winter starts as early as late October or early November and goes until April.
The temperature also fluctuates throughout the day, with freezing winter nights. You may also experience cold winter drafts, which can make the weather seem chiller than it is.
In January, the temperature goes as high as 31 degrees Fahrenheit and as low as 19 degrees Fahrenheit. So, what can you do as the cold rapidly approaches?
One way to protect yourself from the blistering weather is to prepare your home during the winter. No one likes living in a freezer, which is why, before the climate takes a turn for the worst, you need to find ways to keep your house warm.
Here’s a list of techniques you can try that can get you through the winter seamlessly:
1) Get Your Windows Replaced and Sealed
Windows provides the perfect pathway for cold air and winter drafts. If you have old windows or those with cracks in them, you need to get them replaced. Michigan also receives a dreadful amount of snow.
Around January, this state gets about 17.3 inches of snow, while February gets 21.0 inches. This can easily slip into the cracks in your window and lead to other problems like water seepage. Therefore, to prevent all these issues from accumulating in the winter, fix your windows immediately.
However, try not to do this by yourself. Windows need proper installment and care so they’re able to do their job effectively. What you require are seasoned experts who have the skills to help you out.
You should look into windows by All Weather Seal and allow the professionals working there to take a look at your house and suggest your next move.
2) Carpet the Floor
If you want an easy trick to prevent your floors from getting cold, then you should carpet them. Rugs and carpets give you an additional layer of heat that keeps your feet warm. They are effective in providing you with adequate insulation.
If you place a mat near the doors, you can also prevent airflow, further heating the room. While any carpet is good for keeping your house warm, you can splurge on those made from wool for more effective insulation.
3) Close Your Curtains
Curtains are an effective barrier against the cold. They will help you keep warm in the winter. If you’re using a radiator or a heater, it’s best you keep the curtains closed to maximize insulation.
If you want to make the room even warmer, you can add a pelmet to your curtains, which adds a double layer of insulation, further trapping cold air. During sunny days, you can open your curtains for a while to let some of the heat through, but the minute you feel cold, close them again.
4) Use a Programmable Thermostat
If you have the budget for it and want a more sophisticated method of warming your house, use a thermostat. Unlike regular thermostats, a programmable thermostat operates differently. You can present the temperature for different times of the day instead of leaving it in one setting.
This means if the weather gets colder at night than in the morning, you can program the thermostat to be set at a warmer temperature at night. If you also want to save money, choose a low-energy setting when you’re sleeping or away from home, and the rest of the time, switch it over to a higher setting.
Depending on the type of thermostat you get, your device might be able to store up to four temperature settings. Installing a programmable thermostat is also relatively easy. All you have to do is remove the old thermostat and reattach the wires to the new thermostat’s terminals.
Try mounting your new thermostat before the winter so you experience minimal hassle in the cold.
5) Spin Your Ceiling Fan Clockwise
In the United States, most houses have ceiling fans, and Michigan is no different. Generally, ceiling fans spin counterclockwise in the summer to circulate air around the room. This allows the warm air to settle at the bottom of your room and allows cool air to rise.
In the winter, you can change this system; all you need to do is reverse the switch of the motor house to a clockwise position and run the fan on a low setting. This will allow moderate air to circulate around the room, and if the heater is on, it will help in distributing the warmth. But, if you can’t slow down the fan or reverse it, leave the fan off.
6) Keep Furniture Away from Vents and Radiators
During the winter, try shuffling your furniture around. While it may not seem like a big deal, furniture can often block warm air from flowing into the room. Vents and radiators need a certain amount of space to heat the area.
If you place furniture in front of them, they may fail to provide significant warmth, causing you to crank up the temperature. Not only is this a waste of money, but it also makes the appliance work overtime, which can impact its long-term effectiveness.
[Also Read: How To Protect Your Outdoor Furniture with Covers and All]
7) Change Your Furnace Filter
Centralized air conditioners or forced air systems need to have clear furnace filters to do their job effectively. Over time, they get clogged with dust, which can get trapped in the internal machinery. It would help if you kept the furnace filter clean.
This also prevents frequent breakdowns and saves you electricity in the long run. You should try changing them in the summer instead of waiting until the weather is cool. With a clean filter in place, all you need to do is switch on the heating, and the room will warm up adequately.
Final Thoughts
Winters are a challenging season to get through. No one likes being greeted with a blast of cold air, so you need to use every trick up your sleeve to keep your home warm. This includes ensuring you don’t have cracks in your window, changing furnace filters, and keeping furniture far from vents.
You can also carpet your house and close the curtains to minimize cooling. The idea is to insulate your home and add layers of warmth to your place.
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