The holidays are over. Gifts, given and received. Leftovers, gone. Houseguests, also gone. Frigid temps outside make it a great time to take a close look at the inside of your home and address some of those issues you may have neglected during the warmer months. These tips can help make your home safer, more comfortable and more energy efficient.
1. Don’t Dry Out!
Winter = low indoor humidity levels. Staying properly hydrated is important for maintaining good health, and drinking fresh, clean water is the best way to do that. If you already have filtered water, now is the time to clean the filter or get a filtered water system for your kitchen faucet. Bonus: an upgrade can include a filtered instant hot water dispenser. Contact us to schedule a licensed plumber for this or any other plumbing need.
2. Clean the Coils.
Your refrigerator gets a big workout during the holidays. While it’s cold outside, make sure your indoor “icebox” is working at its peak. January is a great time to clean refrigerator coils with a brush and vacuum. This will increase the cooling efficiency and extend the life of your appliance.
3. New Year — Less Junk.
You’ve put away the holiday gifts and decorations, perhaps made a New Year’s resolution or two. But when you look around your home do you still see lots of stuff you don’t use or need? January is a great time to declutter your home and create flow in your life by getting rid of unwanted junk. Contact us to make that junk disappear!
4. Lost Money in the Attic.
No, not Grandpa’s coin collection. We’re talking about the money your inadequately insulated attic may be costing you. Insufficient or old attic insulation is the #1 cause of heat loss and energy inefficiency in most homes. When was the last time you went up there? Whether you pull down a ladder or remove a ceiling panel to gain access, if you’re able, go up in the attic and inspect the insulation. If it’s less than 12″ thick, if you see holes or gaps in the coverage, then your home is not as energy efficient as it could be. Are your living areas uncomfortably chilly during cold months? That’s another sign that your insulation needs an upgrade. It’s about spending money to gain comfort and save money. Your local hardware store can supply you most any type of insulation your home may need. Or schedule a Get Dwell professional to assess your attic to see how we can help make your home more comfortable and energy efficient.
5. Who’s your home’s biggest fan?
OK — let’s get up in the attic again. Determine where your bathroom ceiling fan(s) penetrate through the ceiling into the attic space. The ductwork connected to the fan should exit through the roof. Frequently it doesn’t — a common occurrence, and one of the primary causes of attic mold and condensation issues. Schedule a visit with Get Dwell’s roofing specialists to get this corrected as soon as possible.
6. Thaw, Freeze, Repeat
If you were paying attention in school, you’ll recall the second law of thermodynamics. If you weren’t paying attention, allow us to refresh your memory: Unless in equilibrium, heat moves from hot to cold. So in the winter, the warm air in your house is seeking something cold and it leaves your living space through open doors and windows and uninsulated/unsealed areas of your home. In most homes this happens primarily through your attic or roof. Go up in the attic and go to the coldest (northernmost) side; check for mold and for rusted nails coming through the roof sheathing. If there’s rust, you might think it’s caused by a roof leak … but you’d probably be wrong. A more likely cause is the condensing and freezing of moist air on the nails on days when the mercury dips below 32 degrees. Excess condensation in the attic can lead to structural, electrical, alarm system and health issues. Contact Get Dwell for professional help with this.
7. Look Up — Yuck!
A bathroom exhaust fan that’s vented to the outside should run for 15–20 minutes after you shower or bathe to remove excess moisture that can cause mold and mildew to form. As air is drawn through the fan, dust builds up on the grill cover and fan motor over time, which should be cleaned every six months to keep it running efficiently. To clean, turn off the fan at the switch or circuit breaker and carefully remove the cover. Lightly dampen a microfiber cloth with water and wipe away dust from each of the blades and the motor. Or use a vacuum with a crevice tool to suction away dust; also clean the fan cover with a vacuum. Not your thing? Schedule a Get Dwell handyman for help.
8. Cold Outside … Clean Inside!
Deep clean the basement (and while you’re at it, the attic). The neglected and forgotten areas of your home can accumulate a lot of dirt, dust, bugs and other unhealthy debris that affect the quality of the air you breathe. Rather not deal with this? Schedule Get Dwell’s team of vacuum backpack-wearing experts, who will make sure these hard-to-get-to areas are completely clean.
9. Is Heat Escaping Your House?
The weatherstripping around your doors and windows plays a critical role in keeping your home comfortable and energy efficient. If you have difficulty controlling the temperature in your home, check for drafts in areas close to the doorways and windows. Your local hardware store can help you with all the materials you need to seal the gaps around your doors and windows. Your many options include various types of weatherstripping, and depending upon your needs, insulating spray foam sealant and window film — lots of ways to make your home cozier and save you money. Or, schedule a Get Dwell handyman for help.
10. Spin the Right Direction.
It’s best to keep ceiling fans running year-round. They keep your home comfortable by circulating both cooled and heated air and can save you money on energy bills. But make sure they’re spinning in the right direction. Many people don’t realize that they need to reverse the direction of their overhead fans during the winter months. The hot air in your home is rising toward the attic and roof, and these fans are designed to direct airflow where you need it most. In winter, fan blades should be reversed to rotate in a clockwise direction. This updraft allows hot air to get pushed down into your room — especially important in rooms with high ceilings. Hopefully you’ll notice a difference when your heating bill arrives!