Is your home ready for Winter?

With COVID-19 disrupting the last couple of months suddenly we're about to hit the 2020 Winter season. If like us, the year has caught up on you a bit, we want to make sure you’re prepared for the colder months ahead.

Prepare the bedrooms

Time to dig into your storage cupboards and pull out the winter duvet, the hot water bottle, and probably that extra cozy blanket, which will inevitably end up wrapped around you in the lounge.

Switch your bedding from thin cotton to a brushed cotton, or jersey knit for a snugger sleep. Choosing warm rich colours will also help give the room a cozier feeling.

There’s no beating an electric blanket for instant warmth. If you’ve got one in storage we recommend getting it checked over by an electrician when you get it out to make sure there are no faults.

Be sure to hang a warm robe or dressing gown on the bedroom door, or close to the bed. It will make getting out of bed on those cold mornings that little bit easier.

If you have wooden floors invest in a rug. It will be much nicer to step out onto.

Finally make sure you have adequate lighting. With the shorter days, you will likely be getting dressed before the sun is up, so you don’t want to be tripping over things in the dark. If possible, you want to choose adjustable lighting to give your eyes time to wake up in the morning.

Switch wardrobes

Unless you’re one of those lucky people with a giant walk in closet and no storage restraints, it may be time to switch out your summer wardrobe, for the winter one.

If you are currently storing all of your clothes for the year in your wardrobe, you may want to try this as well. You will find it much easier to access what you need with the lack of clutter in a fully stuffed cupboard.

We even know a few customers in both Auckland and Wellington who have rented one of our small self storage units specifically for their seasonal wardrobes.

Click here for some handy tips on switching out your wardrobes fast and efficiently.

Check your insulation

The most efficient way to keep warmth in your home is with insulation. Ideally you want it installed in your ceiling, walls, and under the flooring. Insulation companies like Pink Batts often offer free home assessments to make sure your house is warm and dry and make recommendations.

If you’re in Auckland you may be eligible for the Auckland Council’s Insulation Programme

Insulate the hot water cylinder

This is something you should do all year round but coming in to winter this will save you even more on your energy bill. Same goes for any exposed hot water pipes.

Check your seals

Windows and doors are the other big culprits for a not so warm house during the winter months. To make sure your home is warm this winter, and to save on your power bill, take a look at Energywise’s excellent tips for stopping draughts in your home.

Close the curtains

Closing your curtains adds an additional layer of insulation to keep the cold out. If you get a sunny day, open them up to soak up all the warmth from the sun, and then be sure to close them before sunset to keep that warmth in.

Get your heat pump serviced

There is no doubt your heat pump is going to earn its value over Winter. With the heavy workload ahead, it will pay off to make sure everything is running smoothly. You’d hate to be on the waitlist for repair if it decides to pack up on the coldest night of the year.

Reverse you ceiling fans

Most ceiling fans will actually have a reverse switch. If yours does, use it to run the fan's blades in a clockwise direction in conjunction with a heater. The fan will produce an updraft and push down into the room heated air from the ceiling. This is especially helpful in rooms with high ceilings.

Time to put the BBQ in storage

We all want to get as many weekend BBQ’s in as possible but let’s be honest…as we head into winter it is unlikely that it will be getting much use. The same goes for your outdoor furniture. Don’t let it all sit growing mold outside. You’ll want to find a dry indoor space either in your basement or garage. If you don’t have spare space around your house consider renting a storage unit for a few months. The investment will easily outweigh having to try and salvage, or even repurchase everything next summer.