You didn’t move to the mountains because you hate winter. Both Banff and Canmore come alive during the colder months with events.
Crisp fall days are in the air, which means the chill of winter is just around the corner. It’s time to winterize your home! Here’s a quick checklist to get you started.
Check Your Furnace
This is a good time for scheduled furnace maintenance, and to check any air filters you have in the home. An efficient furnace and clean filters will be more economical in heating your home, meaning you’ll have a warmer space for less money.
Check Your Smoke Alarms
When you’re doing seasonal maintenance, it’s a good time to check your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they’re in working order and fix them if they aren’t. These are cheap and easy to replace if need be. These little devices will save your life, but only if they’re working properly.
Look for Drafts
Check your windows and doors for any drafts, which you can repair before winter sets in. This will save you in heating costs, and your home will be nice and cozy heading into the cooler months.
Clean the Gutters
Clean out any fall debris that’s gathered in your gutters. This will allow water to drain and will help prevent ice damming. While you’re up there, take a quick look at the roof and make sure there are no missing shingles, damaged areas, or anything else that might invite water into your home. The freeze-thaw cycle of early winter will turn a minor issue into a major one very quickly.
Turn Off Outside Water
Turn off and cover outside water faucets, and drain any hoses, lines, or exterior water sources to prevent damage when the water freezes. While you’re putting these things into storage, it’s also a good time to grab your snow clearing equipment. Make sure your snowblower still works or schedule any maintenance before the snow falls. Get your shovels out and ready. They’ll be needed very soon!
Reverse Your Ceiling Fan
Your ceiling fan, if you have one, has two directions: one for summer and one for winter. The summer direction disperses air throughout the house while the winter direction pushes warm air down, saving you money in heating throughout the cold season.
Clean Your Chimney
If you have a fireplace, fall is a great time to clean out the chimney and stock up on firewood. You’re going to be using your fireplace over the winter, so you want to make sure everything is safe and efficient. Having it professionally cleaned will help prevent chimney fires and also prevent extra carbon monoxide from dumping back into your home.
