These practical pointers can help ensure your house is prepared to take the chilly season by “storm.”

While many are enjoying a temperate fall, people in some locations (like in Canada's North!) have received their first snowstorm of the season. The glistening blanket of untimely snow is a great reminder that it’s time to prepare your home for wintry weather on the way.

Most homeowners have a list of regular seasonal tasks they complete, which may include covering up patio furniture, blowing out the sprinklers, making sure the heating system is good to go, and more. But a few other, lesser-known tips can also make a big difference in creating a comfortable environment for the wintertime.

Have you completed these often-overlooked winter home-prep tasks?

1. Conduct an energy audit

It’s important to have an effective HVAC system for your heating needs, whether it be via forced air, baseboard radiators, and electric, to name a few. But in order to keep costs down, be careful that you’re not expending more energy than necessary.

Consider hiring a professional who can conduct a home energy audit to identify places in each room that could be optimized for energy use. For example, about 30% of a home’s heat is lost through windows alone. If drafty windows are an issue, look into different methods of sealing cracks and air leaks. Some popular DIY fixes include weather stripping tape or caulk.

If your heat is generated from a furnace, ensure you’re regularly cleaning the air filters, which gather dust and debris over time.

An energy audit can also determine if the structure’s insulation is outdated and identify what areas – like the attic, crawl space or basement – might need bolstering. Plus, it can help uncover lighting that could be upgraded to energy-saving options, like LED bulbs.

2. Switch the direction of a ceiling fan

If you thought ceiling fans were useful only in the warmer months, think again. A ceiling fan can actually be a helpful aid in keeping a room toasty in the winter – but there’s a trick to getting it to work in your favor.

In the summer, your ceiling fan should be set to spin counterclockwise, which creates a cold downdraft. But when winter is on its way, you should reverse the direction to clockwise, which helps circulate warm air. To make the switch, start by turning the fan off and waiting for the blades to come to a complete stop. Then, check the base of the fan for a switch – and simply flip it to make your fan winter-ready.

Once the direction of the fan is reversed to accommodate heat, it’s also recommended to keep it at the lowest speed to prevent an unwanted breeze. This circulation of warm air should prevent the need to crank up the thermostat – an impulse which can get costly.

3. Stock up on seasonal supplies in advance

In life, it’s generally better to be proactive than reactive – and that's true for home maintenance, too. Before winter gets underway, stock up on all of the seasonal supplies you need for indoor and outdoor care. That way, you’re not scrambling when the first (or next) snowstorm hits.

Some ideas to get started:

• Salt for icy sidewalks

• Shovels for snow

• An outdoor boot scraper

• Durable indoor mats for soggy footwear

• Flashlights and spare batteries in case of power outages

• Refilled propane and/or firewood

• A windshield scraper and windshield ice cover (because for those who spend a lot of time on the road, a car can feel like home, too)

Thinking of selling your home amid the changing seasons? Contact me today to help you lay out a plan and make that happen.

Stay warm and dry!

Holly Sansom, Realtor

McLean Real Estate Group

RE/MAX Camosun