Winter is just around the corner! And although we don’t anticipate a rainy season this year, that doesn’t mean you should neglect to prepare your home for the change in temperature. Ensuring your home is up to date won’t only keep you warm but will also help reduce your energy bills! Here is how you can prepare your home for this winter:

  • Check Your Window and Door Seals: Be sure that there are no leaks. Sure, you want to keep rain out, but don’t forget about wind. An unwanted draft can bring quite the chill on a winter night. Additionally, if you are not careful, and you are using your heater this winter, ignoring a leaky seal can mean money right out the window!
  • Get Your HVAC Checked. Most heating and air conditioning units last around 10 years. How old is yours? No matter the age, it’s a smart move to get your HVAC system checked this season. Change the filter and have a professional complete an inspection. If you are motivated to become more energy efficient, consider looking into replacing your HVAC system with an eco-friendly one! Not only can you help the environment, but you can also reduce your monthly bills.
  • Take A Look at Your Gutters. In Baytown, the season most characterized by rain is late summer, when we experience the usual thunderstorms (and sometimes dangerous natural disasters). Although the rain is generally lighter in the winter, you want to make sure that autumn hasn’t left your home with damage or clogged drainage. Get up there and take a look at your gutters to confirm there are no problems that need fixing.
  • Cover Your Pool. Although we all miss sunshine and swimming in the winter, the reality is that the weather is not quite warm enough for a dip. Covering your pool can save you the hassle of weekly cleaning when the wind is blowing and making a mess in the backyard. Lowering your maintenance this winter can also reduce your stress.
  • Install Lighting for Home Walkways. It’s official: we have experienced the “Fall Back,” which means we will see the sun going down much earlier (generally, just after 5!). Since this is when many of us will be arriving home from work, we want to make sure that our homes are properly lit to avoid injuries this season. Also, installing new lighting, such as solar paneled walkway lanterns, can add a warm, quaint ambience this winter.
  • Upgrade Your Fireplace. If you don’t have one, try getting one! If you already enjoy a fireplace, make sure that it’s ready for the cold weather. When you settle in after work, and the weather has dropped to the 40’s, few things are better than cozying up next to a warm fire with a hot chocolate or a glass of red wine. To prep your fireplace ready for the winter, first inspect the chimney (hiring a professional is the easiest solution). A proper inspection can ensure that your family is safe while using the fireplace. Next, you may want to upgrade to an energy efficient unit by installing an insert. An insert may cost up to a couple thousand to install, but it can reduce your monthly energy bills drastically.
  • Test Your Smoke Detectors. To be honest, this one should be on your list all year. All the same, adding this simple task to your to-do list can ensure your family’s safety. If you are already in the mode of home preparation, why not add this one? Additionally, don’t forget to check the carbon monoxide detectors while you’re at it!

Thankfully, your checklist as you prepare for this winter is not too daunting – at least you are not facing snow! Don’t shirk these steps – ensuring that you prepare for all seasons can help maintain the quality of your home and the safety of your family. Taking these simple steps can get you started for an enjoyable winter!

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Recently, we have heard from many clients who are looking to move into more energy efficient homes that can handle all seasons. Many of these buyers share the ultimate goal of reducing their responsibility and stress by moving into a new home. If this is something you are interested in doing, consider contacting us. We purchase homes all cash and can close in as quickly as five days. If you want, we can help you get into a new home before winter even arrives!

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