Even though it's summer, cold days are still not completly behind us.
It is still possible to get a few days of cool breezes from time to time. Furthermore, when fall and winter do comes, we can expect some harsh weather conditions. With that in mind, you should think in advance and start planning how to protect your home from harsh weather during this time.
Quarantine is the perfect time to plan an in-home project! Staying inside due to the COVID-19 outbreak can get pretty boring after some time. Even though people are mostly looking for fun things to do during the quarantine, it is far more productive to plan a project that will help protect you and your apartment. Afterall, who want's to run into these undesirable situations when it's cold out; Instead, prepare ahead of time.
Common Harsh Weather Problems:
● Frozen Pipes
● Keeping the House Warm
● Controlling Energy Consumption
If you are living in an apartment, frozen pipes are probably not something to worry about, rather a maintance concern. With that in mind, let’s look at the other two issues and learn more about different approaches to solve them.
How to warm up your home before and during harsh weather
Keeping your home warm during winter is imperative. However, it is a lot harder to accomplish if you allow for the temperature to drop down. Preventive measures are a necessity.
Make sure there is no draft
First-time renters also often make mistakes when it comes to securing a home from the draft. Bad insulation on windows and doors is the number one culprit for cold homes. The draft can make a house almost impossible to keep warm.
The first step should be to check where drafts come from. Repair and insulate windows, and keep rags under the door if necessary. Furthermore, if you have any windows that are not directly exposed to sunlight, keep the drapes or blinds closed at all times.
Another good way to keep the home warm is to use ceiling fans to keep the warm air circulating between rooms. Just make sure to set them to circulate clockwise. This will not only help you to protect your home from harsh weather, but it will also lower your heating expenses.
Using technology to control energy consumption
Smart thermostats are a fantastic way to monitor energy consumption while keeping the house warm. This is especially important during winters since the goal is to be economical, but at the same time, protect your home from extreme temperatures.
Checking inside pipes and faucets for leaks
Even though you won’t really have problems with frozen pipes in a building, it is crucial to check if there are any leaks on the faucets and visible pipes in your apartment. If you find an issue, immediately contact maintenance so they can resolve it before the winter.
If you are moving to a new apartment before the winter, this is a crucial step if you wish to have a move without unpleasant financial surprises. No one wants to live in an apartment with leaking pipes.
Dealing with cold walls
If your apartment has a room that shares a wall with the side of the building, chances are the wall will be cold during winter. If you have a bed next to it, you risk catching a cold. Keeping the walls warm is always a problem during winter.
A smart approach is to consider changing the layout of your furniture. Move the bed next to a wall that is placed towards the inside of the building. Furthermore, keep windows closed at all times. If you have a closet or a wardrobe, move it in front of the cold wall to act as insulation.
It is also recommended that you place any heating device inside. Whether it is the air-conditioning system or an ordinary heater, it will make a difference once the cold days arrive. As a last resort, you can pile blankets and pillows next to the wall if you cannot move the bed. This will provide additional protection and keep the room warm.
A quick summary of ways to protect your home from severe weather
Let's quickly summarize all the possible solutions that will help you protect your home from harsh weather before the winter starts:
● Inspect the inside pipes and faucets for any leaks or damage, and report all issues to maintenance
● Repair and insulate windows and doors
● Use programmable thermostats to monitor energy consumption and find cold spots in your home
● Set ceiling fans to rotate clockwise and use them to circulate warm air
● Protect cold walls by piling up blankets, or placing a wardrobe in front of it
● Alternatively, consider changing the layout of the furniture, so the bed is on the warmer side of the building.
All of these tips will not only help you protect you and your home during cold months but also help you save money and avoid unnecessary expenses.