The chilly weather has officially arrived! Hot chocolate by the fire, walks in the snow, holiday parties and more! Are you ready for this new season? As much as we’d love for the warm weather to stay a bit longer, the reality is that winter comes by every year. One thing to keep in mind during this busy time of year is your home. Is your home ready to tackle the cold winters that we have here in Ottawa? Below you’ll find a few items to add to your to-do list.
- Check your furnace - This should be done yearly to ensure everything is working correctly. A professional will not only check for safety issues but will also perform preventative maintenance to make sure your furnace will make it through the winter season. Additionally, change your furnace filter if necessary.
- Chimney cleaning - Again, this should be done yearly to ensure your fireplace is in tip-top shape! Schedule a professional to come before you start using your wood fireplace.
- Test your smoke & carbon monoxide detectors - During the winter we keep most if not all our windows closed throughout the season which means the airflow is a minimum. This is an essential time to make sure that your detectors are working well. Run a test and replace batteries if necessary.
- Stock up on emergency supplies - Power outages can be more common in the winter, especially during big storms. Making sure you have supplies on hand such as water, warm blankets, canned food and whatever else you may find necessary is key to feeling safe during these times.
- Reverse ceiling fans - Such an easy task that will help out your heating system. By reversing your ceiling fans to a clockwise direction this will force warm air that's raised, back down to your living area.
- Inspect windows and doors for drafts - The last thing you want while running your furnace during the winter is for the heat to escape. Go around your house and check all windows and doors for drafts where the warm air can escape.
- Drain hoses - Drain your garden hoses and store them during the winter. This will ensure it's ready to use in the spring without any damage.
