As the days grow shorter and the temperature drops, the winter season in the Hudson Valley is getting into full swing. Preparing your home for winter is very important. With fuel prices through the roof, and tough times economically all around, you'll want to preserve and make the most of your heat in order to keep living costs down. If you live in Ulster County, NY and you want to stay cozy & comfortable without cranking up the heat, there are a number of simple, practical, and common-sense tips to help maximize the warmth of your home.
It Gets Cold in The Catskills! Give Your Home A Winter Check-Up!
Winters in Ulster County, NY are beautiful and tranquil. But before the snow falls and things freeze, give your home a seasonal check-up and make sure it's ready for the transition from a warm to cold climate. Clean your gutters of debris and leaves so that water flows where it's supposed to, away from your home, before it starts to freeze. Drain your garden hoses and air-conditioners. Check every door, window, and point of entry. Make sure that the windows are closed and locked, which helps seal them tighter. Take out any air conditioners; they may be heavy but are definitely worth removing in order to stop drafts and trap in heat. Check the weatherstripping on exterior doors to make sure they're in good shape and be aware of drafts that flow under doors inside, which can be blocked by a decorative "draft-dodger", or the trusty and always economical, rolled-up towel. You'd be surprised how much heat you can contain (or how much heat you can lose!) by monitoring your points of entry. Nothing beats a fire in the wintertime, just make sure you store your firewood in a dry place away from your home. Keep the flu closed when not using a fireplace, and be sure to cap or screen your chimney in order to keep out critters who may be drawn to the heat and not want to leave.
Winterize Your Home, Whether You Have A Budget, Or No Money At All...
If you have a little money in your budget to winterize your home, schedule an appointment to have your furnace/main heat source serviced by a professional to make sure it's in good shape. They can also check your ductwork to make sure it's clear and unobstructed. You can buy programmable thermostats in order to maintain a consistent temperature (and fend off those sneaky folks that secretly turn the heat up!). If you're handy, hardware stores sell filters to common furnaces that can be replaced to maximize hot air-flow. Buy some heavy plastic to cover windows and (unused) doorways. It may not look great, but it can go a long way to seal in heat. No Money? No Problem! Check the ductwork yourself if you know how to access it and make sure it's clear and clean. Utilize the sun's warmth, by keeping all drapes and curtains open during daytime hours, to let solar warmth in, and closed at night to trap it inside. Turn your thermostat to 60-65 when you sleep, if you can tolerate it. People rarely awaken from sleep simply because they're cold, and you'd be surprsied at what your body can tolerate as you slumber (and how much $$$ you can save!). Like mom said, "bundle up!" Get yourself and your family into the habit of dressing warmer inside the home and leave blankets and throws out on couches and chairs.
Little, common-sense tips can help you save big money this winter! If you want a blog that's helpful and practical (and fashionable in any season!) check out Taft Street Realty!
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