8 Ways to Prepare Your Home for Cooler Temperatures
Categories: Arizona, Resources & Tips Comments Off on 8 Ways to Prepare Your Home for Cooler TemperaturesWinter is upon us and even if your home is in a more tropical climate, the months ahead still hold some cool nights. Some places are already being affected by winter storms Cleon and Dion. Even with a new home, there are important preparations to ensure your family’s winter is the best it can be. Here are some tips for prepping your home for whatever this winter may hold for you.
- Winter is the perfect time to rearrange your furniture, even if you have only been in your home a few months. The change will help your home and life feel fresh and bright, even if the sky is filled with dark, grey snow clouds. Consider implementing some cozier seating arrangements, with chairs pushed a bit closer together for more intimate moments and conversations.
- It is important to regularly test all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Batteries can run down and systems can malfunction without warning. Therefore, it is crucial to your family’s safety that you take a moment before the stress of the holidays to make sure your home is ready in the event of a fire or gas leak.
- Make an appointment with a heating professional to have dust and debris blown out of your heating system. Also, make sure you have plenty of air filters for the months ahead. Even a newer furnace cannot run efficiently if the filter is clogged.
- Keep your thermostat on 68 degrees or even lower to cut the costs of energy bills. Particularly in areas with warmer climates, there is no need to overrun the furnace and run up costs. Simply throw an extra blanket or two in your bedroom closet for more chilly nights. You can also consider switching to flannel or fleece sheets for the season.
- If temperatures drop below freezing where you live, make sure you have all garden hoses disconnected and put away for the season. This will protect water from freezing inside the hose and cracking. Also, place a cover over the hose to prevent freezing and breakage in your pipes.
- If you are finished with your landscaping tools for the season, coat each piece with some lubricant to make sure they are ready when you go to use them in the spring.
- If you live in an area where it snows, be certain any snow removal equipment is working properly. Test snow pushers and blowers and make sure shovels are not rusty, bent, or broken.
- To keep your lawn looking lush and healthy, a winter fertilizer application is a great idea. These fertilizers help strengthen the roots of your grass, and will make your spring lawn green and gorgeous.