There’s nothing quite like feeling warm and cozy in your house during the winter season. But if you have committed to living an eco-friendly lifestyle, you don’t want to abandon your positive practices just for the sake of maximum comfort. Home winterization may feel like a hassle when all you want to do is celebrate the festive holiday season. But it can help you minimize your environmental impact, live more naturally, and save some money on your utility bills too.
Here are some sustainable tips for preparing your home for winter.
Seal Up Air Drafts
Cracks and gaps around your home let the heated air out and the cold air in. To winterize your home, choose a cold day to walk around your house and put your hand over openings to check for air flow. Drafts frequently come in around doors, windows, siding, and faucets. You can seal up these gaps with caulk or expanding foam, which is an easy DIY job that you can often see the results right away in your heating bill charges. A rolled-up towel or draft snake can also help prevent drafts under doors.
Add Better Insulation
If it has been a while since you’ve thought about the insulation in your home, take a quick trip up to the attic. Good insulation in the attic traps heat that rises inside and keeps it from escaping into the outside world. Some eco-friendly insulation options are sheep’s wool, cotton, cork, and shredded denim.
Replace the Air Filters
A dirty air filter will reduce the effectiveness of your heating system and make it work harder than it needs to. It is typically recommended to replace furnace filters at least every three months. If you’re not familiar with HVAC systems, it might be worth calling out a professional to check that everything is functioning well, clean the ducts, and switch out the filter.
Prevent Frozen Pipes
Household pipes are notorious for freezing in the winter if they aren’t properly insulated. This is most common in unheated areas of your home, such as the garage and basement. Avoid letting your house’s temperature dip below 55 degrees to prevent pipe freezing, even when you are away on vacation. If the pipes freeze, they can cause extensive water damage and even affect your home’s electrical wiring to increase the risk of electrocution.
Use a Smart Thermostat
Many people travel during the winter to visit family for the holidays or take a vacation somewhere warm and tropical. Even if you’re not traveling, your house does not have to be quite as warm and toasty while everyone is out of the house for work or school during the day. Install a smart thermostat that lets you control your home’s temperature from your phone and conserve energy when you don’t need the heat on full-blast.
You can learn more about eco-friendly living in these Seagate blog articles:
- Natural Ways to Heat Your Home and Stay Cozy Inside This Winter
- Natural and Eco-Friendly Window Cleaning Tips for Your Home
- Eco-friendly & Sustainable Interior Design Ideas for Your Home Renovations
- Eco-Friendly Landscaping Ideas for Your Home
- What Is Eco-Friendly Furniture, and Are Your Home Furnishings Sustainable?