As temperatures drop and the days grow shorter, preparing your home for winter becomes an important part of seasonal home maintenance. While exterior tasks such as clearing gutters and protecting outdoor plumbing are essential, the inside of your home also deserves attention.
For Calgary homeowners, a little preparation can make the colder months more comfortable, help manage energy costs, and reduce the risk of unexpected maintenance issues
1. Check Your Heating System
Your furnace will be working harder during the winter months, so it is worth making sure it is ready for the colder weather.
Start by replacing or cleaning your furnace filter according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. A dirty filter can restrict airflow, making your heating system work harder and potentially reducing its efficiency.
If you have not had your furnace serviced recently, consider scheduling a professional inspection. A technician can check the system’s operation, identify potential problems, and help ensure it is running safely and efficiently.
It is also a good time to test your thermostat and replace its batteries if necessary. If you use a programmable or smart thermostat, review your settings to ensure they reflect your household’s winter routine.
2. Improve Indoor Comfort and Energy Efficiency
Keeping your home warm does not necessarily mean turning up the thermostat. Small adjustments throughout the house can help maintain a comfortable indoor temperature while reducing unnecessary heat loss.
Check windows and exterior doors for drafts. Weatherstripping and caulking can help seal small gaps, while heavier curtains can provide an additional layer of insulation around windows.
During sunny winter days, open curtains on south-facing windows to take advantage of natural warmth. Close them again in the evening to help retain heat.
You can also make sure heating vents and radiators are not blocked by furniture, rugs, or curtains. Good airflow allows warm air to circulate more effectively throughout your home.
3. Prepare Your Plumbing for Freezing Temperatures
Although outdoor plumbing requires attention, the pipes inside your home can also be vulnerable to freezing during Alberta’s coldest weather.
Pay particular attention to plumbing in unheated areas, such as basements, crawl spaces, garages, and cabinets against exterior walls.
Consider insulating exposed pipes in these locations, especially those near exterior walls or areas where cold air may enter. Keep cabinet doors open beneath kitchen and bathroom sinks during extreme cold spells to allow warmer air to circulate around the pipes.
If you have a room that tends to get particularly cold, make sure it receives adequate heat throughout the winter. Knowing where your main water shut-off valve is located can also be helpful if a pipe ever freezes or begins to leak.
4. Test Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Winter often means spending more time indoors with heating systems and other household appliances in use. This makes functional smoke and carbon monoxide detectors particularly important.
Test your detectors and replace batteries as recommended by the manufacturer. If your detectors are nearing the end of their service life, replace them according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Carbon monoxide is an odourless, colourless gas that can be produced by fuel-burning appliances, including furnaces and fireplaces. Make sure you have working carbon monoxide alarms in appropriate locations throughout your home.
If you use a fireplace or wood-burning stove, arrange for the chimney and flue to be inspected and cleaned as needed before regular use.
5. Check Indoor Humidity and Ventilation
Cold winter air can contribute to dry indoor conditions, while everyday activities such as cooking, showering, and drying laundry can introduce excess moisture.
If your home feels unusually dry, a humidifier may help. However, avoid adding too much moisture, as excessive indoor humidity can lead to condensation on windows and contribute to mould growth.
Use bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans to remove excess moisture, and make sure your home’s ventilation system is functioning properly.
7. Make Your Living Spaces More Comfortable
If you have ceiling fans, check whether they have a reverse setting. Running a fan clockwise at a low speed can help circulate warm air that collects near the ceiling, particularly in rooms with higher ceilings.
Finally, take a few minutes to review your household’s winter supplies. Make sure you have spare light bulbs, batteries, basic cleaning supplies, and any other essentials you may need during a cold spell.
Get Your Home Ready for Winter
Preparing the inside of your home for winter is an opportunity to improve comfort, maintain your home’s systems, and address small issues before they become larger problems.
A little preparation now can make a noticeable difference when winter settles in.
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