Winter is one of those seasons that can be very bittersweet. On the one hand, it’s lovely to be out in the snow building snowmen or having snowball fights, but an absolute pain to have to drive in it or deal with the aftermath of melting snow and very wet surroundings. It’s amazing to be all tucked up and warm in your home with a roaring fire watching the beautiful winter scenery through the window, but equally, it can be awful and depressing if your home is cold or you are suddenly having problems when trying to get out and about. With that in mind, here are some of the winter hacks we all need.
Upgrading your heating system
One of the most important things in our home is our heating system during the winter. It is what keeps our toes toasty and stops our fingers from turning to ice. But an older boiler or furnace is just not going to cut it during the coldest days of the year so it might be the time to consider upgrading your heating system. This can potentially save you money on your energy bills in the long term, and a programmable thermostat leaves you in complete control of heating your home.
Making sure your car is safe to drive
No matter what the weather is like, you might find that you need some extra guidance for driving in the winter. The icy roads, the iced up car, dealing with different weather conditions, these are all things you need to consider. You may want to check out how to be a safe driver in winter so that you can ensure that you do what is necessary. It might be preparing your car for bad weather with changing tyres or even parking in a different spot so that it doesn’t get iced up as bad. The more you prepare, the more grateful you will be.
Sealing any air leaks you may have
That precious hot air escaping is not going to keep your home warm for long, so ensure that you tackle any areas where you are suspicious of heat escaping. This might be through door seals or old windows. Or potentially through your roof if it isn’t insulated correctly. If this type of thing isn’t your strong point, getting a local contractor in could help you spot some of the signs of heat escaping your home.
Using hot water bottles
Hot water bottles are something we should all start using again. They are such a winter essential, and the biggest hack they can do for your home is getting your bed warm before you get in it. The last thing anyone wants is to climb into a cold bed. So place a few hot water bottles in there before you get in. Also, this could work for your chair in your office, your sofa, or even something to cuddle up to when the moment strikes you.
Protecting that pipework in your home
Your home is filled with pipework. They are what keeps the house warm, lets your drinking water in and gets rid of the waste. So they can be vulnerable to harsh winter weather if you don’t protect them. Ensuring that they don’t freeze or cause problems if they burst.
Let’s hope these hacks help you winter-proof your home.