With winter approaching, it’s essential to ensure your home is equipped for the chilly, wet weather coming. Taking steps to prepare your home for winter will make sure you’re comfortable all season long while preventing leaks that could end up costing you a ton in repairs. Here are the steps you should take to prepare your home for the winter
months, and identify problem areas that need work before the cold weather.

Check Your House’s Insulation
With chillier weather approaching, you could end up freezing if your home is poorly insulated. To determine if your home needs some repairs or home remodeling to prepare for the winter, look out for these signs of an under-insulated home:
 Fluctuating temperatures
 High energy bills
 Cold walls, floors, and ceilings
 Cold rooms

These uncomfortable signs can point to a number of faulty areas such as poorly insulated walls, a roof that needs repairs, air coming in from the attic through led lights or any ceiling fixtures, or drafty windows that let the cold winter air in. However, checking insulation within walls and attics can be a messy or dangerous job due to harmful materials sometimes used in home insulation. That’s why it’s recommended to
hire a contractor to take a look at your home’s insulation if you’re noticing the above signs that heat is escaping.

Inspect the Condition of Your Roof
Your roof can have a bigger impact on your home’s temperature than you think. When a roof isn’t properly insulated, the winter elements can lead to leaks that could end up creating an expensive headache down the line if left alone. Look out for missing or damaged shingles, damaged gutters, and debris such as leaves piling up on your roof
that can hold moisture and cause leaks. Water damage and mold are a few expensive issues that can arise from roofs in need of repairs, so it’s best to get ahead of these issues by hiring someone to inspect your roof before winter is here.

Ensure That Your Windows Are Sealed
Windows can have a huge impact on the temperature of your home, as they can cause chilly drafts when temperatures drop. When you’re checking your winter window insulation, make sure they are properly sealed to keep drafts out and warm air in. Even if your windows aren’t letting in noticeable drafts, they could still be compromising the
temperature of your home by radiating heat outward if they are not double or triple- paned. For this reason, it’s important to invest in insulated windows, so you’re not wasting money on high heating bills once the cold weather hits.

Importance of Proper Home Insulation
Insulation does more than keep you warm and comfortable in the winter. Investing in proper insulation will prevent water leaks, mold, high energy bills, and many other problems that come from heat escaping in cold weather. On top of that, it will reduce your carbon footprint by utilizing energy-efficient home features like double-pane windows and insulated roof panels.

The Home Insulation Process

Homes can be insulated in many different ways, even in cases where there is no attic space or only a narrow space between roof structures and drywall like in vaulted ceilings. The insulation efficiency is measured by the R-value, which indicates the insulation’s resistance to heat. The higher the R-value, the more efficient the insulation. There are also different R-value codes depending on the climate of an area, like in Los Angeles where ceiling insulation must have an R-30 rating. Fiberglass that is about 8-10 inches thick is the most commonly used type of insulation since it is an economical choice, but there are other materials such as spray foam, mineral wool, foam core, radiant barrier, cellulose, and others that can be used. The type of insulation you pick
will depend on both your budget and your home’s unique needs.

Tankless Water Heaters 
Insulation isn’t the only way to prepare your home for the colder months. Investing in a tankless water heater can save energy all year round since they only operate on- demand, which will in turn reduce costly energy bills. This is different from how water tank heaters work, as they work 24/7 heating water and use a lot more energy, while
creating a larger carbon footprint as well. In addition to their energy-saving convenience, tankless water heaters heat water faster than heaters with tanks. For this reason, as you prepare for colder months when hot water will be a major need, consider getting a tankless water heater installed in your home. An added perk is that in Los Angeles, gas companies will often give you a rebate of $1000 if you have one installed!

Home Not Up For Winter? Invest In Expert Help.
If you’re concerned about your home’s readiness for winter, consider hiring a home remodeling contractor that can assess your home’s needs and work with you to repair or replace faulty features. Contact us today to learn how to make your home energy- efficient, comfortable, and aesthetically beautiful with the help of our construction team.