Preparing your home for winter or summer not only improves your comfort but also protects your wallet. With preventative maintenance and smart adjustments, you can save energy, avoid costly repairs, and create cozy spaces…

Learn how to prepare your home for winter and summer

Ready to make your home comfortable no matter the season? Preparing your home for winter and summer isn’t just about adjusting the thermostat; it’s also about taking care of your home’s exterior. Every little helps keep things cool and warm…

Winter: Keys to staying warm

As this is a season characterized by cold weather, actions should be taken to conserve or generate heat. The following recommendations may be helpful:

• Are your boiler or radiators ready for the cold? Schedule professional maintenance before the frost arrives; the technician will check for leaks, pressure, and combustion to prevent malfunctions.
• Don’t forget to clean or replace the system’s filters every 1-2 months; this will improve air quality and prevent dust buildup.
• If you have a conventional thermostat, consider upgrading to a smart one. Some models allow you to program schedules and adjust the temperature from your phone, which can reduce costs by up to 15%.
• Do you feel cold drafts near your windows? 30% of the heat escapes through them. Place adhesive foam or rubber weatherstripping on the frames, and use caulking or silicone to seal cracks in the glass.
• At night, use thermal curtains with an insulated lining to block out the cold outside and keep the room up to 5°C warmer. An extra tip? Place a lit candle near the windows: if the flame moves, there’s a leak.
• Frozen pipes can burst and cause costly flooding. Wrap exposed pipes with foam or fiberglass insulation, and let faucets drip gently during severe frost.
• Do you live in an icy area? Install automatic heat cables around outdoor pipes that are activated by temperature sensors, preventing ice buildup while minimizing wasted energy.
• A roof in poor condition invites leaks and heat loss. Climb carefully (or hire experts) to check for loose shingles, cracks, or moisture. Clear gutters of leaves and debris before the first snowfall.
• Do you have ice buildup at the edge of your roof? Install heat tape on your gutters to prevent them from clogging and leaking inside.

These steps ensure a warm and efficient home while also preventing unexpected expenses and protecting your home’s structure.

Summer: Refreshing Spaces

Unlike winter, during this season, we aim to keep our homes cool and ventilated. How? You can do this by doing the following:

• Use ceiling fans in winter mode (counterclockwise) to distribute the cold air without creating annoying drafts. An extra tip? Open opposite windows at night to refresh the air and reduce humidity.
• Did you know that a dirty air conditioner uses up to 20% more energy? Clean the filters every two weeks to keep the unit running smoothly. Set the temperature to 24-26°C to keep your electricity bill low.
• Install aluminum exterior blinds or awnings on south- and west-facing windows. If you prefer something more discreet, apply reflective film to the windows to filter UV rays without obscuring the view.
• Close thick curtains between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., but let some natural light in so your home doesn’t feel like a cave. Do you live on a high floor? A vine on the facade acts as a «natural curtain» and lowers the interior temperature.
• Plants aren’t just decorative: a fern or ribbon in the room absorbs heat and releases moisture. Replace heavy curtains with lightweight linen or cotton fabrics in light colors, and dampen them slightly to refresh the air.
• Place pedestal fans near windows to expel hot air outside. If you have high ceilings, a model with large blades moves the air more efficiently, without generating noise.
• An emergency trick? Place a bowl of ice in front of the fan: the cool air will spread like a beach breeze.
• Heat seeps through poorly insulated ceilings just like cold in winter. Inspect the exterior walls for cracks and fill them with expanding foam or mortar.
• On the roof, install reflective panels under the tiles or paint them white to reflect the sun’s rays.
• If you have ceramic floors, use thin jute or esparto grass rugs in summer.

Freshness and ventilation will reign in your spaces with these measures. Plus, your energy consumption will be optimized, which will protect your wallet…

Preparing your home for winter and summer: a place ready for any weather

Start preparing your home for winter and summer. Keep in mind that small changes can make all the difference in the face of the cold or stifling heat. Get started and transform your home now. If you need assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact the team at American T&J Projects LLC. These professionals will help you transform your home into an efficient haven for these climates, without complications.