Don't Fear the Heater: Tips to Keep Your Home Warm

Whether you're avoiding falling iguanas in South Beach or braving the blistering cold of a Chicago winter, every homeowner should make they're prepared for a cold spell during the winter months. And summer is a great time to plan ahead and get winter work done on your home.

Fear not, this does not mean you have to go out and buy a new heating system to warm up your home for a few days. In fact, there are ways you can prepare your home for extreme cold today that will save you money down the line. Reversing your ceiling fans, maintaining your doors and windows, and checking your insulation can help you stay warm and keep those heating bills down throughout the winter.

Ceiling Fans

Many assume that a fan's only purpose is to keep your house cool during the dog days of summer. But what many don't know is that it serves an equally helpful purpose during the colder months.

Most ceiling fans have a switch you can adjust that will change the direction of the fan. This change in direction will reverse the effects we're used to from fans during the summer months. Instead of creating a vortex effect to pull the hot air up, it will instead disperse the warm air that has accumulated near the ceiling throughout the rest of the room.

With this additional source of warm air you may be more comfortable turning the thermostat down a few notches.

Doors and Windows

While the fans are busy dispersing the remainder of the warm air throughout your home, you can get started on checking your doors and windows for any damage.

Worn-down weather stripping and ill-fitting windows and doors can let in drafts, allowing the heat to escape from your home. It's recommended that weather stripping is changed every 2-3 years on all your doors and windows.

If a door or window isn't fitting properly and letting air in, there are adjustable thresholds that may be able to help seal your home. As the name implies, these can be adjusted to suit your home's needs over extended periods of time so you don't need to go replacing it every couple years.

Insulation

The most important part of keeping your home warm in the winter is the insulation in the walls of your home.

While the recommended type of insulation varies by region, experts advise that you have at least 11 inches of fiberglass insulation to properly maintain the temperature inside your home.

And while it may be easy to overlook the attic, don't! You will lose heat out the top of your home if your attic is not properly insulated.

Luckily, fiberglass insulation only needs to be changed every 15-20 years so once you ensure your home is insulated you should be set. If you are unsure how to check your insulation, take a look at this guide on how to check the insulation in both your walls and attic.

Get started on your winter warmup today!

With extreme weather patterns becoming more and more frequent, it's best to prepare your home and family for anything that might come your way. Reversing your ceiling fans, keeping your doors and windows up-to-date, and installing proper insulation will go a long way in keeping you warm without breaking the bank during your area's next cold spell.

Unsure of how to pay for new insulation or fixtures for your home? A home equity loan from Spring EQ may be the answer, you can always connect with us here at Spring EQ – we’re happy to help!