There is a good reason why Canada is often referred to as the Great White North. The country is known for its harsh winters where the temperatures can drop as low as -30 degrees Celsius, allowing Canada to pride itself on being able to withstand and even flourish during the colder months of the year. The best way Canadians do that is by preparing their home for the winter season in advance.
The truth is there is nothing more comforting than living in a nice and warm home where you can stay comfortable and relaxed while gazing out the window and watching the snow falling outside. As Canadian winter gets underway, it is important to ensure that your living space is ready to combat the subfreezing temperatures so you can protect yourself from unexpected costs and damages that may come along.
To get you started, we have compiled a list of four tips you should follow to help you prepare your home for Canadian winter before the season arrives.
Install an efficient heating system
The best way to keep your Canadian home in winter is to have a good heating system. There are plenty of options you can choose from, with furnaces often being the most commonly preferred choice among homeowners. This is because they can heat up a home very quickly, providing comfort and warmth to the entire living space within minutes, all while improving indoor air quality and reducing energy costs.
But in order to make the most out of your furnace, it needs to be properly installed and maintained by local professionals. So, for instance, if you live in Winnipeg, look for the best Winnipeg furnace installation services near you to get professional installation and maintenance of your furnace for the best price.
Set your home up for warmth
Setting your home up for warmth is another great and inexpensive way to combat the subfreezing Canadian temperatures. There are many things you can do to arrange the inside of your living space in a way that is laid out for optimal heat efficiency.
For instance, you should consider moving the furniture away from the vents to enable warm air to circulate around the space more easily. You can also open your drapes and hang them on the side so you can allow the sun’s rays to enter your home.
Don’t forget to add a few woolen rugs or mats to your decor to keep both the floors and your feet warm.
Seal areas to prevent heat from escaping
No matter how well you arrange your home’s interior or how good of a heating system you have installed, you should do your best in keeping the warmth inside and preventing it from escaping outdoors. A great way of doing so is to seal all areas through which the heat can escape, such as broken or cracked windows and underneath the doors.
To weatherproof your windows and doors, you should check and replace any weatherstripping around them as needed. You can apply caulking to seal any gaps around windows or apply window film to keep the cold out. You can also install a door sweep on the bottom of your doors to prevent any drafts that may be getting through.
Perform home exterior checkup
Although your main focus will probably be to prepare the inside of your home for Canadian winter, you shouldn’t also forget to perform final home exterior checkups to protect your property’s foundation and structure from the subfreezing temperatures.
Some maintenance tasks you should perform include cleaning the gutters, inspecting the roof, and waterproofing your water pipes.
For instance, arranging for a complete roof inspection is advised especially if there are any shingles that need replacing or your chimney is beginning to work loose. Not tending to these issues ahead of time can increase the chance of your home sustaining damages caused by the Canadian winter, resulting in hefty repair costs later on.
Final thoughts
Although Canada may be beautiful in winter, its freezing temperatures often scare off the residents, thinking they may not be able to withstand them during the cold season. However, the best way to combat the harsh winters in the Great White North is to prepare your home properly and keep it nice and warm at all times. If you need help doing so, refer to our post and follow our tips on how to winterize your home this season.
