Every home needs a winter tune-up when the animals hibernate and Jack Frost comes calling. Winter is a hard time of the year for many reasons, including the weather, heating bills and the pressure of the holidays. So why make it even harder with a home that doesn’t function as it should when the temperature plummets? Believe it or not, it is much easier than you think to look after the home in winter, from checking the heating system to clearing out the gutters.

Test Essential Safety Devices

Winter is no different from any other season in that anything can happen at any time. Home hazards like fire, a break-in and even carbon monoxide leaks are more common during winter as we burn more fuel and stock up for the holidays. Of course, checking some of these is easy, such as a smoke alarm battery. But it is recommended that you find local services for complex systems, such as having the coiler serviced and checked for potential carbon monoxide issues.

Check the Heating for a Winter Tune-Up

The rate of boiler breakdowns increases by around 15% in winter, peaking in January. This isn’t surprising given that we use the heating more. However, it can be harder to book a repair during winter. So ensure your heating is working well in the months before it gets extremely chilly:

• If you use HVAC, then replace the filters and bleed the radiators if you use them.
• Pay attention to the heating by listening for strange noises like banging and whistling.
• Make sure there are no obstructions around heating units so the warm air flows better.

Clear Internal Vents and Ducts

Depending on where you live, you may use systems such as HVAC or radiators. HVAC is more common in the US, and radiator systems are more common in the UK. However, there is some crossover, too. Older US homes might have a radiator system, and newer UK homes can have HVAC. Either way, it helps to ensure there are no blockages in the heat dispersal systems of each. Clear out ducts and vents that blow warm air, to ensure it flows freely and evenly.

Reverse the Ceiling Fans

Summer is a breeze with ceiling fans that work to keep you cool. But what about winter? Did you know that they have the opposite effect when you reverse them? When ceiling fans blow anti-clockwise, they blow out cooler air. But with a clockwise rotation, they actually push down the warmer air that gathers at the top of the space. This can be a massive help when trying to keep a room warmer, and could contribute to some savings when it comes to the heating bills.

Winter Tune-Up Draught-Proofing

Home draughts can contribute to between 15% and 30% of heat loss in a modern home. This is much more likely in older homes, too. If you want to keep the cold out this winter, then you need to draught-proof the home for a winter tune-up that lasts until the animals emerge in spring!

Seal up those gaps

Even the smallest gaps can cause a room to become very cold. This can make your heating work harder, increasing bills. Sealant around windows and doors can help block the cold air.

Don’t neglect windows

Windows are basically giant holes in the wall, and poor windows can lose a lot of heat. Make sure shutters are closed and consider installing thermal curtains and blinds to keep heat inside.

Keep doors closed

An open door can be the cause of a severe cold when the weather is having a bad day! Make sure only one door is open at a time, or you might get a blast of cold air into your warm home.

Draughts in the home can cause a large amount of heat loss. This is uncomfortable, but it also causes your heating to work harder than it needs to, increasing your energy bills. Some simple draught-proofing measures can combat the cold and help keep the heat inside where it belongs.

Disconnect Outdoor Hoses

Summer and early autumn are usually the warmest times of the year, and outdoor hoses are used a lot during these seasons. Watering plants, washing the car and spraying the kids, outdoor hoses have many uses. But they are also prone to damage when winter hits hard. Frozen water in the hose will damage it, but will also damage the pipe and tap system. Before the weather gets freezing, ensure you disconnect hoses and turn off the water supply.

Insulate the Water Pipes

As mentioned, frozen water can cause damage to outdoor hoses. However, it can also cause damage to the pipes inside your house. When the heating is off, water can freeze in the pipes or, at the very least, reach near-freezing temperatures. When this happens, the heating system needs to work much harder to warm up the water. However, frozen water can also cause blockages. Simple pipe insulation will prevent this by keeping the water hotter for longer.

Clear the Gutters with a Winter Tune-Up

One of the most overlooked parts of the home is the guttering. Maybe because we don’t usually see them, they can be put off and neglected. However, gutters are critical for a home. Blocked gutters can cause water to be redirected into the home, causing issues like mould:

• Before the cold sets in, clear any debris like leaves and branches from the gutters.
• Ensure the cutters are cleared before and after a storm during the winter.
• When it is particularly cold, check that there is no ice blocking water flow in the gutters.

Protect Your Plants from the Cold

There’s nothing like a summer garden for rest and relaxation. Of course, this goes away for the winter and doesn’t emerge again until the spring. But even though plants can go dormant, they might still need protection, or they can die during winter. To combat this, it helps to drain any irrigation systems you have installed. You can also use plant nets to protect your delicate outdoor plants. If you have tools, it is also recommended to store them in a shed or tool chest.

Summary

Testing essential safety devices, such as the smoke alarm, is a recommended first step to a winter tune-up for the home. Of course, it also helps to plug up those draughts. And don’t forget about the plants in your garden that also need some protection from the freezing weather.

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