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Home Upgrades You Can Tackle Before Winter

Homeowners prepare for winter by stocking up on food, clothes, and other necessities. But what about your house? Winter can be a particularly tough time for homeowners with older homes because the cold weather brings with it a host of potential problems – from frozen pipes to ice-damming. Your home is one of your most valuable assets, so before winter comes knocking at your door, take these steps to ensure you have a safe and warm house all season long.

1. Inspect Your Roof, Gutters, and Downspouts

Inspecting your roof before winter is a smart move for many reasons. First, it allows you to identify potential problems with your home’s exterior that could become larger issues as the temperature drops and snow accumulation increases. Second, performing an inspection now gives you time to fix any problems before bad weather arrives. Several warning signs indicate that your roof needs repair, including, but not limited to: loose or missing shingles, cracks in the roof surface, and a buildup of moss or fungus on the roof surface. Once you have identified a problem area, you must have it fixed right away by a professional roofer. By cleaning out gutters and downspouts, you can ensure that your home is fully prepared for winter. Not only do clean gutters protect your home’s foundation by preventing water damage, but they also reduce the risk of ice damming.

2. Install a Programmable Thermostat

One of the easiest and most affordable home upgrades you can make before winter is installing a programmable thermostat. When preparing for winter, your priority should be to maximize heating efficiency and minimize energy costs. A programmable thermostat helps you achieve both goals by turning your heating system on and off at specific times. By programming your thermostat to bump up the heat before you get home from work or school and turn it back down once everyone is out, you can cut down on heating costs while still feeling warm and cozy in your own home.

3. Seal Air Leaks

Homeowners who want a warm and toasty home during the winter months need to seal air leaks. Air sealing is the process of creating an effective barrier between conditioned spaces (e.g., your home) and unconditioned spaces (i.e., the outside). In addition to creating a thermal barrier, an air seal will also help keep your home’s indoor air quality high. Leaky windows are one of the most common sources of energy loss in older homes, so it is important that you address them before winter rolls around. The good news is that in addition to lowering your heating bill, fixing these issues will make your house feel more comfortable and secure.

4. Upgrade Your Kitchen

Almost 14% of homeowners made improvements to their kitchens in 2018, and for good reason, kitchens are home to many of the appliances we use daily. Not only do they help us cook, but they also play a huge role when it comes to parenting. If your old appliances aren’t cutting it anymore, consider upgrading to a more energy-efficient model that not only saves money on energy bills but also reduces your carbon footprint.

5. Prepare Your Trees for Winter

Mature trees have been linked to a 20% boost in property values, so it is important that you take proper care of yours before winter comes around. Using this time to prune your trees will help them retain their health and keep them strong during freeze-thaw cycles. It will also reduce the risk of branch breakage due to heavy snow accumulation – a common problem in areas that receive high levels of snowfall each winter. The nursery and garden centers industry in the United States has expanded at an annualized rate of 3.5% over the past three years, bringing in $38.7 billion in revenue. Part of the reason for this growth level is likely because an increasing number of homeowners are spending more preparing their lawns and gardens for the winter season.

Prepping your home for winter is essential to maintaining its integrity. And with a few home upgrades completed in the process, you just might find that your winter will be that much more enjoyable.

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