Real Estate in OUR TOWN
ur W o Y “
inter To-Do l
ist”
By Deborah Ratchford
W
inter is just around the corner and you know what that meanscreating a Winter To-Do list.
Will you make a snowman? Go skiing? Maybe snowboard? Whatever fun events you may have planned, make sure to also include a few home maintenance tasks. The following tasks will help you save costs this winter and keep the warmth in! Install a door sweep Have you noticed that some doors leave a small gap between the bottom of the door and the floor? This is to prevent floors from being scratched, however if the gap is sizeable enough it can lead to heat loss. You can fix this by installing door sweeps! These sweeps won’t harm your floors and will close any gaps to keep the heat in. Programmable thermostat While it’s great to have the house heated to your perfect temperature when you are home, there’s not really a reason to have your house warm when everyone’s at work or school...or when sleeping. Having a programmable thermostat can reduce costs by setting schedules for the heater! You can also simply set this schedule and make reminders for yourself to save costs. Insulate, Insulate, Insulate Having the proper insulation can make a great difference in keeping the cold out and the warmth in! However, some older homes may lack proper insulation, so make sure to get a consultation and maybe bulk up your home’s insulation. Winterize Your Windows Many windows tend to let heat seep out but there’s two ways to directly combat this: temporary storm windows or an insulator kit. The insulator kit will provide films to cover your windows and is a cheaper alternative to storm windows, but both are great options for insulating your windows. Cover the Windows Applying new windows or films to windows can be intimidating so you can also combat heat leaks by getting insulating curtains. Not only can
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these curtains help prevent heat leaks but they can also be stylish decor to give the room a warm feeling. Reverse Ceiling Fans Did you know that the direction your ceiling fans are turning actually effects how heat travels in your home? If you can change your ceiling fan direction, make sure they’re spinning clockwise, as this will make warm air lower. Clean the Gutters & Drain Outdoor Plumbing Buildup in your gutters can lead to still water, which has a high chance of freezing. This also applies to any outdoor plumbing you may have like hoses and a sprinkler system. Try to make sure that there’s no water in either of these systems when the colder months come our way because they might freeze over. Sweep out the Chimney One of the best parts of winter is sitting in front of a cozy fire but you have to make sure you do it safely! If you burn log fires at a lower temperature, tar can actually start to build up in your chimney. Make sure that before each winter starts, get your chimney swept, cleaned and inspected for safety to avoid any potential fires. Please feel free to contact me with any of your Real Estate questions. Deborah Ratchford 678-570-4779 Debratchford@kw.com
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