The trees will soon turn our neighbourhoods into a colourful display of reds, yellows, and orange. You may be spending the remaining warm days enjoying the great outdoors with the knowledge that the cold winter months are just around the corner.
With the arrival of autumn, we need to think about preparing our homes for the cold days ahead. If you do so, the reduced energy consumption will be easier on your wallet.
Here are a few things that you can do to your home to help reduce energy consumption:
Windows:
Older homes may have cracked windows or ones which are not properly sealed. Any imperfection can increase your energy consumption. If your windows are cracked , it lets cold air into the space, and your furnace will have to work harder to keep your home warm.
Doors and weather stripping:
Replace outdated doors that let cold air in. You will find that the few hundred dollars that a new door may cost will pay for itself many times over. It just makes sense to replace them. If you are keeping your front door for aesthetic reasons, and notice that the weather stripping is worn, replace the weather stripping.
Maintain your furnace:
It is important that you get your furnace checked annually to ensure that it is working at maximum efficiency. Changing your filter can make a big difference. It is always best that you have your furnace looked at before it gets cold out; you don’t want to get stuck on a harsh winter night without heat.
If you take winter holidays, consider looking at a security system that will monitor the temperature of your home and advise you when there’s a sudden change in temperature. This will help you to avoid incurring the extra costs as a result of damage from burst pipes.