There’s been a slight chill in the air, pumpkins are covering doorsteps, and Chiefs football is back – these things are all indicators that it’s officially autumn! The daytime highs are starting to dip and the overnight lows are getting chilly which means winter weather is soon to follow.
While wintertime in the Heartland isn’t too harsh, especially when compared to other regions in the U.S., we do get some winter weather. From temperatures dipping below freezing to ice storms, weather in the fall and winter can be unpredictable. This cold weather gives us the chills and unfortunately makes it difficult to warm up, especially the insides of our homes. Luckily, there are some measures you can take to keep your home warmer this fall and winter – continue reading to learn more.
1. Allow Sunlight to Enter Your Home
Many homeowners leave their curtains drawn during the spring and summer months to block out sunlight to cool their homes down. While it can still be freezing while the sun is shining in the fall and winter months, letting the sunlight into your home during the day will warm it up. When the sun rises, open your curtains and blinds and close them when the sun starts to set. You could even save a few bucks on your next energy bill if you lower your thermostat and let sunlight naturally warm your home!
2. Change Furnace Filters
Changing furnace filters often not only keeps the air you breathe in your home cleaner but can help save money on your energy bills. Did you know that by changing your furnace filters you can also keep your home warmer in the fall and winter months? When furnace filters aren’t replaced often they’ll collect more dust and dirt over time, and may become clogged and block airflow. As a result, you won’t be getting as much warm air flowing through your vents.
According to ENERGY STAR, the general rule of thumb is to replace your furnace filters every three months. If you’re unsure of the last time you replaced your furnace filter, now is a good time to do so.
3. Fix Drafts Around Doors & Windows
The air outside is getting cooler and will only continue to drop until springtime. The air outside shouldn’t enter your home, however, many windows and doors in homes are drafty. Windows and doors get drafty from several things including improper installation, issues with the window seal, and bad weather stripping. Not only does having drafty windows and doors make for a cooler inside, but your HVAC unit also has to work in overdrive to heat your home all fall and winter if it doesn’t get fixed.
If you notice cracks or gaps around the caulk surrounding your windows, fix them as soon as possible by applying more caulk. Fix the weatherstripping on all exterior doors to limit the amount of cool air entering your home.
4. Clean Your Open-top Gutters
Believe it or not, keeping gutters clean affects your home’s internal temperature. When gutters are clogged full of debris like leaves, pine needles, ice dams, and pests, water that drains from your roof has nowhere to go but to remain on your roof or flow over the gutters resulting in damage like missing shingles and leaks in the attic. Roofing issues and leaks can lead to poor attic insulation, enabling chilly air to enter your attic and your home.
Cleaning open-top gutters can be time-consuming and dangerous if you’re uncomfortable using a ladder. If you are comfortable, clean your gutters yourself often to avoid clogged gutters.
Following the tips above will keep your home warmer this fall and winter. Allowing sunlight to enter your home, changing furnace filters, fixing drafts around windows and doors, and cleaning your gutters are all ways you can keep your home warmer during fall and winter.
If you’re tired of cleaning your open-top gutter system, it’s time to make the switch to the K-Guard Leaf Free Gutter System. Our clog-free gutter system never needs to be cleaned and eliminates clogs from all debris including leaves, pine needles, pests, and ice dams.
Schedule a free in-home estimate today and we’ll provide you with a detailed analysis of your current gutter system along with estimated costs for installing your K-Guard Gutter System. K-Guard proudly offers our gutter installation service to homeowners across both Missouri and Kansas including, but is not limited to, the following locations: Kansas City, Overland Park, Topeka, Olathe, Shawnee, Independence, Lenexa, and Lee’s Summit.
