Will you leave your family out in the cold this winter? Of course, you won’t. But did you know that failing to prepare your home for cool Arizona temperatures is roughly the same thing? It can dip down into the 30s during an Arizona winter — sometimes lower. That’s too cold to struggle with leaky windows and drafty rooms. At Miramonte Homes, we know how to build cozy homes that keep your family comfortable year-round. That’s why we’ve put together this quick checklist of how to prepare your own home for those chilly days that beckon.
1. Inspect Your Weatherstripping
Old, cracked, or damaged weatherstripping around doors and windows are huge culprits when it comes to drafty spaces. If you notice a breeze inside your home, it could be because your weatherstripping is failing. Luckily, this is one of the easiest fixes. Take time to check any weatherstripping for signs of deterioration, and don’t forget to examine exhaust fans in the bathroom, the range hood in the kitchen, and your garage doors.
2. Buy Caulking
If you live in an older home with antique windows that feature wooden frames, odds are good you’re losing energy throughout your home. If replacement windows are not in the budget right now, you’ll want to invest in a simple caulking gun and some weather-seal caulk. Running beads of caulk around leaky door and window frames can save you significant money on the cost of heating your home this winter.
3. Call for a Furnace Inspection
Even in Arizona, nights get chilly enough that you must run your furnace. Do yourself and your family a favor by having a professional HVAC technician in to inspect your furnace annually. This will result in clean, safe filters and air ducts. And your technician can troubleshoot any issues before they become big, pricey problems. You’ll find that paying for an annual inspection is much more economical than calling for a service repair on the coldest day of the year.
4. Reverse Your Ceiling Fans
You can make your home feel much warmer by simply reversing your ceiling fans. It’s an easy fix that many homeowners overlook when winter winds come calling. By reversing the direction of your fans, the warm air next to the ceiling is blown downward, helping to make rooms feel warm and cozy without the need to crank up the thermostat.
Miramonte Homes Can Help
When you’re ready to move up to the level of comfortable living, Miramonte Homes can design and build the house of your dreams. Our homes feature the most modern creature comforts, as well as ten-year warranties. They’re built to support you and your lifestyle with superior insulation, the finest building materials, and third-party inspections that ensure the highest quality of work. If you’re in the market for a new home in Arizona, contact Miramonte Homes today.
Sources
https://www.bobvila.com/articles/1499-fall-home-maintenance-checklist/
https://todayshomeowner.com/using-ceiling-fans-properly/
https://www.foxbusiness.com/features/does-your-furnace-really-need-a-yearly-inspection