Four things you need to do now to prepare your home for winter

Preparing your home for winter ahead of time not only means you’ll be warm and cosy when the colder weather arrives, you’ll also be saving money on your power bills.

Though it’s only autumn some areas of Australia are feeling quite cold right now, so you might be starting to get an idea of what winter supplies and tasks need to get done.

Sealing draughts and adding curtains will make a difference when winter hits.

Here are a few things to consider now before your home gets too cold:

Assess your heating needs

A heater is a must in winter, but you can prevent your power bill from skyrocketing by making sure you have the most cost-effective one for your needs.

That might mean investing in an air conditioner if you own your home, so that you can benefit from lower running costs – though the initial cost will be more expensive.

For those who are renting or need an extra heater for a particular room, like a home office, now is the time to look at your options and find one that suits you best.

Just keep in mind that portable heaters are cheaper to buy initially than air conditions but cost more in the long run.

Pull out your heater to see if it’s in good condition.

Check your heater

If you already have a heating option, give it a once over to check if it needs repairing, replacing or in the case of a gas heater, servicing.

Autumn is also a good time to clean your heater, which in the case of an air conditioner means removing the filters so they can be dusted and rinsed/washed.

Portable heaters will need dusting with a clean, dry cloth.

And anyone with a ceiling fan should check the switch on the fan itself, and flick it to clockwise to help circulate hot air back into the room when you put the heater on.

Draught-proof your home

To keep you warmer and needing to put the heater on less, check around your home to see where you need to add some insulation.

Are there doors and windows you can cover with curtains? This makes a huge difference to the temperature of a room by keeping warm air in and cold air out.

Have you noticed cold draughts coming through the tops, bottoms or sides of doors? This can be fixed by adding a weather seal, which costs as little as $3.76 at Bunnings.

Another affordable option that makes a huge impact on door draughts is the good old door snake.

Floors are also a big contributor to the temperature of a room by allowing heat to escape and cold air to flow through. To fix this add some rugs to common areas like living rooms, hallways and the dining table.

Rugs (and slippers) make a lot of difference to the temperature of a home.

Swap out seasonal gear

Summer clothes and bedding won’t likely be needed for months.

So instead of allowing those pieces to take up space in the wardrobe and linen cupboard pack away and in their place add in jackets, jumpers, quilts, blankets and throws.

Take the time now to do an inventory of what you have and what you need to get.

For items you do have, give them a wash or at least air them out in the sun when you can so they are fresh and free of dust.

If you spot any mould on things like boots and jackets, remove it as soon as possible and set up moisture absorbers in your closet to prevent any more mould occurring over the winter.

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