8 quick ways to prepare your home for winter
With winter fast approaching, it is time to get the woolies, jackets and beanies out of storage and into our wardrobe. But don’t stop at the clothes – this is also a good time to start preparing your home for the colder months.
Here are 7 easy ways to make your home warm and cosy enough for winter.
Check your window coverings
Up to 40% of heat in a home can be lost through windows if they are not covered sufficiently this winter. To keep the cold out and the heat in, consider dressing up your window with heavier, layered or insulated curtains, or roller blinds. If you don’t like the look of any of these and prefer sheer curtains or just an uncovered window, then perhaps you need to pick up window insulation kits from a hardware store.
Change the colour tones
As winter rolls in, it is time to replace the bright summery colours in your home with the season’s hues. The good news is that winter tones are now no longer just limited to greys and blacks. Some rich and warm colours fit into the winter mood very well, such as dusty pinks, terracotta, coral, any shades of green, and galaxy blue. Neutrals like off white, cream and soft beige are perfect too.
Bring out the doona
Nothing keeps you as comfortable during a cold night as the right doona. There are different types of doona fillings, and which you choose really depends on how warm you need it to be. If you tend to freeze in bed and need maximum warmth, wool and feather quilts are perfect. For hot sleepers who prefer lighter insulation, cotton and microfibre ones will keep you happy.
Rug up
If you have cold and hard floors like tiles or concrete, consider covering them with rugs. Not only will rugs save your feet from stepping on chilly surfaces during winter, but they can also help to hold in some heat. Plus, they look really cosy and comfy.
Go full on with carpet
Better yet, if you have been thinking about carpeting your home, this is the best time to do it. Your feet will be eternally grateful, not to mention the extra warmth the carpet will bring to your home as it helps to trap heat.
Switch your fan mode
Most modern ceiling fan models come with a summer setting as well as a winter setting. Be sure to set your fan to the winter mode, so that it rotates clockwise to pull cool air up and push warm air down. This means you won’t lose the much needed warm air to the ceiling, but have it circulated in the room instead. This setting also allows you to keep your heater on lower settings, which in turn helps you save on energy consumption and utility bills!
Clean or service your air conditioner
It is recommended that you clean or replace your air conditioner’s filter every month or two during each season, to keep your unit efficient and effective. A clean filter can lower your system’s energy consumption by as much as 15%, so it is really worth cleaning it frequently. Regular servicing of your air conditioning system will also keep it at a good working condition, and allows you to fix smaller issues before they snowball into a major problem.
Get a new heater
If your air conditioning system is really old or breaking down too often, it may be a good time to purchase a new heater right now. The last thing you’d want is to be shivering through winter, especially during the extra cold Aussie days. Ducted split systems are ideal for those who want to heat large spaces or the entire home, while individual split system air conditioners are a good alternative if you only need to heat up smaller areas or individual rooms. You can read more about the different types of air conditioning systems here.
Our team at Total Electrics & Air-Conditioning is ready to help you prepare your house for winter! We offer a wide range of heating solutions, including ducted gas heating, split systems, window air conditioners and gas log fire heaters. Speak to us today to find out more!
