Furnace Filter
When the cold finally hits, you’re going to want to make great use of your heating system to keep warm. Unfortunately, if you neglect to change the furnace filter, you’ll receive “diminishing returns”, since a clogged filter completely reduces heating efficiency, as well as increasing your energy costs.
Weatherstripping
Weatherstripping is that stuff you put around the edges of your doors and windows. It’s designed specifically to keep the cold out, but just like anything in your household, it’s prone to wear and tear, which causes drafts to leak in. Get this replaced before the winter season hits and you should be just fine.
Caulk
Caulk performs a similar function to weatherstripping, but with the added bonus of being able to fill in all those annoying little cracks and gaps in your door and window frames. Ironically, though, caulk itself is prone to cracking, which allows cold air and moisture to invade your household.
Smoke Detector Batteries
It stands to reason that you’ll be making way more use of your heaters and candles during the cold season. The more you use these, however, the greater the risk of an accidental fire. For that reason, we recommend ensuring that your smoke detector’s batteries are fully replenished before you crank up the heat.
Carbon Monoxide Detector
In addition to smoke, extensive use of heating appliances - specifically heaters and fireplaces - also increases the amount of CO in the air. CO, by the way, is an incredibly toxic, deadly gas - you pretty much never want it around. Therefore, it’s a good idea to ensure that your carbon monoxide detector is still working as intended, and replace it if needs be.
Door Sweep
A door sweep isn’t exactly the most advanced bit of “technology”, but for what it is it’s certainly effective: it’s designed to keep the cold air out, and sits at the foot of your door. Just like caulk, weatherstripping, and everything else, however, it’s prone to wear and tear, and may need to be replaced before the cold hits.
HVAC Thermostat Batteries
Before, thermostats were pretty analog in terms of design and function; these days, however, they’re fully programmable and are designed to operate autonomously. Of course, they won’t work without their batteries, which could end up collapsing your entire heating system. Replace those batteries before the rime gets you!
Space Heater
Space heaters are portable electric heaters that used to be a staple of many households all around the world. They’re a lot rarer these days, but some folks still hold onto theirs. To them we say: make sure yours is still in good condition, since damaged models become fire hazards all on their own!
Electric Blanket
If you don’t have an electric blanket already, we recommend you invest in one ASAP. It’s a safe and cozy way to stay warm without raising the thermostat. Just be sure to ensure it’s in good condition - frayed wires and damaged controllers can be incredibly dangerous.
Humidifier Filters
With all that heat going around, you’ll likely want some extra humidity to offset it. That’s where your humidifier will come in clutch. Like furnaces, however, your humidifier’s filters will likely need replacing, since old filters grow mold and reduce the overall output.
Insulation (for Outdoor Faucets)
If you have any outdoor faucets and don’t fancy them freezing (and then exploding) and leaving you with some hefty repair bills, you’ll want to ensure that their covers are up to scratch. Replace your foam caps and insulated covers as needed.
Draft Stoppers
Draft stoppers are those little snake-like sacks of sand that you place at the bottom of your door to prevent… well, drafts. Unfortunately, they don’t last forever, and worn stoppers become flat and ineffective. Replace yours to reduce as much of the cold as possible from creeping up from under your door.
Flashlight Batteries
It’s not unheard of for freezing storms to cause a power outage every now and then. When that happens, visibility is low, and you’ll likely have to rely on a flashlight to navigate the darkness. Of course, flashlights become totally ineffective when they’re out of batteries, so ensure that yours have been replenished.
Snow Shovel
If you plan on driving anywhere during the winter, you’ll need to be able to clear your driveway first. A snow shovel (or at least an ice scraper) will allow you to quickly and effectively remove any snow blocking your path - that is, of course, assuming it’s in good condition.
Outdoor Lightbulbs
In the winter, the days are shorter and the nights are longer - and darker, too. No one wants to risk navigating in the dark, especially when the ground is layered with frost. We recommend erring on the side of caution, and ensuring that all your outdoor light fixtures are working properly before winter comes.
Windshield Washer Fluid
Your vehicle is not immune to the icy chill of winter. Specifically, you’ll likely have to contend with a frosted windshield, which can only be (safely) cleared with washer fluid. Of course, it’ll need to be winter fluid, so make sure your summer fluid is packed neatly away and out of sight lest your windows freeze and crack.
Car Wiper Blades
Your vehicle’s wiper blades can help to mitigate the snowy onslaught to an extent, but only if they’re in good condition. Worn rubber blades will do nothing but smear ice all over your windshield while also causing it to freeze (and subsequently put it at risk of cracking).
Winter Bedding
That ratty old blanket and those worn sheets may be just enough to keep you comfortable during the summer months, but they’ll do nothing to protect you from winter’s bite. Either change your bedding to something cozier, or get rid of any damaged bedding entirely.
Thermal Curtains
Curtains may simply serve to keep the sun out during the summer months, but they’re capable of so much more during winter - if you buy the right ones, that is. Thermal curtains are heavily insulated, and help to keep the heat in during the cold months. This, in turn, allows you to stay warm without jacking up your energy bills.
Slippers and Socks
You can have all the heating appliances, insulated curtains, and draft stoppers in the world and you’ll still suffer winter’s chill if you don’t keep your feet warm. For that reason, a good pair of slippers and some warm socks will go a long way in ensuring your coziness during the cold months.
