Keeping up with your home’s maintenance is a critical aspect of home ownership. During the colder months, it is a good idea to look over what elements you can improve to increase energy efficiency and comfort. Keep some of these stylish and functional upgrades in mind when the cold weather hits.
Upgrade the Smoke Detectors
One of the most important systems to upgrade during the winter is your smoke detector. With your furnaces and fireplaces going, it is a good idea to have your CO detector working as desired to prevent potential health and safety concerns from arising. Make sure that you have all of your batteries installed and updated, and take the time to look into any sections of your home that may be missing a unit.
Change Your HVAC Filter
You want to make sure that your HVAC is working as efficiently as possible. Take the time to look over your filters and make sure that they are clean. If you can, vacuum the inside of your vents to get cobwebs, dust and other particulate from them. Filters should be replaced roughly once every three months, and getting it fixed up during the early part of the winter means you can look forward to your HVACs working even more efficiently throughout the rest of the season.
Introduce Smart Meters
Programmable thermostats can end up paying for themselves, as the savings they can provide homeowners can be tremendous. These units can also be decorative if you purchase on to contrast the color of your walls. Look into Energy Star ratings and think about how often you will need to heat specific sections of your home to make the most of your thermostat settings.
Retrofit your Fireplace
Open fireboxes are typically inefficient. Warm air may end up disappearing from your home right through the flue of your fireplace. Not only will adding glass doors complement the appearance of the fireplace, you can look forward to a greater degree of energy savings during the winter. Your new doors can come in a variety of decorative surface options, and they add a degree of safety for pets and kids.
Take a look at the systems that exist in your home and see which ones can benefit from a larger makeover. Though it is not necessary to indulge in an entire renovation procedure, it can be a good idea to figure out what quick changes you can make this year to plan more efficiently for next year’s winter.
