Winter checklist to warm up your Colorado property
The Property Manager of Durango has put together this helpful list for you on things to do in your property to make it ready for winter. A short checklist of things to look over in your home.
HEAT
Good sources of heat are key in four-season climates. Especially the cold weather we see in Durango and most of Colorado. Doing maintenance on your heater or furnace before it becomes necessary is key.1 Sometimes there are some quick DIY fixes for your heater or furnace. If you have floor registers, you can get Duct boosters for forced-air heat. If you’re looking at remodeling your property in the future, consider radiant floor heat.
Filters
Checking and changing your filters regularly will not only help your heater/furnace run more efficiently, but it will give you cleaner air to breathe. You can buy electrostatic permanent, washable filters for some units if you don’t want to keep buying your filters. Or consider putting filters on a subscription service to remind you when it’s time to change them.
Ducts
Inspecting your ducts not only for cleanliness but for insulation is very important. You want warm air coming out when it first fires up. There are all sorts of innovative ideas for ducts or attics now.7,8,9 Alternatives to metal ducts, duct liners, and insulation for external ducts. Flexible ducts as well as air-drying coating products.9
SMALL THINGS YOU CAN DO TO WARM UP FASTER
There are several things you can do that will help keep your home warmer faster (and often cheaply or cost-free). Move furniture away from radiators or baseboard heaters.2 Turn your fans to reverse to send the heat down from the ceiling. Or you can purchase a heating fan if you wish. Leave your oven door open after you have baked something to warm up more of your home. Boil a pot of water to warm up your kitchen, make tea or a hot drink with it too. Or if you’re taking a hot shower or bath, you can also leave the door open and let that steam fill the home.1
Small maintenance items could start with checking gaps in windows and doors. A quick remedy can be some spray insulation4 or weather stripping for both doors and windows. Plastic bubble wrap is a good insulator for windows you don’t use or look out of.1 Thermal insulated window curtains6 help keep your home warmer as well as throw rugs on your floor. You can also get door gap stoppers for drafts either in the form of a removable one or a door sweep.3 An added benefit is soundproofing. Consider checking Commonly overlooked issues.
Portable heat
You can purchase a wide variety of inexpensive floor heaters; some that have their thermostats (to warm up the room before you get out of bed).
There is a large variety of both indoor and outdoor heaters5 available. Warm air vaporizers are another good way to keep your bedroom environment warm and cozy. They also keep your breathing passages from drying out in winter. Hot water bottles, heating pads, and full bed heating mattress pads are a great way to keep you warm at night (as well as helping with aches and pains).
Fireplaces and Woodstoves
Fireplaces are a cozy way to get your heat and ambiance at the same time. But it’s important to know when to keep your chimney clean. Creosote buildup can lead to chimney fires. You can either do it yourself or hire someone to do cleaning and inspection for you. You also can purchase fireplace cleaning logs too which are very easy to use, along with other creosote removing products. Since fireplaces (wood and gas) can cause Carbon monoxide poisoning, it’s important to have a carbon monoxide detector at least 15 feet away from your fireplace, as well as a fire extinguisher on hand.
Lastly, don’t forget to have your firewood ready in advance. You don’t want to be hunting for that at the last minute. They have larger decorative inside holders as well as outdoor firewood storage racks you can make yourself with their iron brackets and your 2 x 4’s.
The Property Manager wants to help you professionally manage and advise you on your rentals in more areas than most. We’ve been established here in Durango, Colorado for almost 35 years. Please give us a call to set up a time to talk, (970) 259-0222,or you can also send an email to rentalinfo@rentdurango.com.
1 – https://www.familyhandyman.com/list/27-tasks-for-your-winter-home-maintenance-checklist/
2 – https://www.familyhandyman.com/list/unexpected-ways-to-keep-your-house-warm-this-winter/
5 – https://www.lowes.com/search?searchTerm=indoor+floor+heater
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