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Throughout most of the United States, the cold temperatures of winter are on their way. As a homeowner, you have to work hard to get your residence prepared for this time of year. Failing to get ready for winter can leave you feeling cold and uncomfortable. Not only do you need to maintain the existing equipment you have in place before winter, but you also need to think about investing in a few upgrades.

In the past year, homeowners in the United States spent over $600 billion on improvement projects. Taking on the right projects allows you to make your home more appealing and comfortable. Determining what goals you want to accomplish is crucial when trying to choose the right projects to invest in.

Are you trying to make the upcoming winter more enjoyable? If so, you need to think about investing in some of the upgrades mentioned below.

Replace Your Outdated Heating Unit

Keeping the inside of your home warm this winter will require a good running heating unit. If your existing unit is constantly failing or is over 15 years old, then it is time to make some changes. Failing to get rid of your outdated heating unit can leave you feeling extremely cold this winter. The older your heating unit gets, the higher the risk becomes of it breaking down.

This is why working with the team at Metro Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning to get your old heating unit replaced is a good idea. With the addition of a new heating unit, you can keep your home warm during winter without wasting a ton of energy.

Before choosing a heating unit replacement, you need to explore all of the options at your disposal. If you are like most homeowners, you have a limited amount of knowledge about heating units. Instead of relying on your limited knowledge to make this important decision, you need to work with professionals. An experienced HVAC technician will have no problem helping you select the best replacement unit for your residence.

Invest in a Programmable Thermostat

Failing to have the right heating equipment in place can result in lots of energy waste this winter. This is why you need to explore the HVAC equipment market to optimize your existing unit. One of the main mistakes you need to avoid making this winter is allowing your heating unit to run all day long when no one is home. Not only is this wasteful, it can also put undue strain on your unit.

One of the best ways to remedy this common problem is by installing a programmable thermostat. This thermostat allows you to preset temperatures for various times in the day. This means you can keep your heating unit off while no one is home and turn it on just before you arrive.

If you are apprehensive about installing a programmable thermostat on your own, then hiring professionals to handle this work is a wise move. With their assistance, you can get your new programmable thermostat installed and functional in no time at all.

Install Door Sweeps

Keeping the inside of your home warm will get increasingly difficult as winter rages on. The more you know about where the warm air is escaping, the easier it will be to implement the right fixes.  One of the main areas you need to check when trying to diagnose draft issues is the bottom of your exterior doors. Doors that aren’t equipped with sweeps allow a lot of warm air to escape.

Rather than allowing this common problem to persist, you need to take action. Luckily, there are a number of aftermarket door sweeps on the market. These sweeps are easy to install and effective. In most cases, these sweeps will adhere to your exterior doors with double-sided adhesive. By installing these sweeps on all of your exterior doors, you can keep warm air inside where it belongs.

Replace Your Old Windows

If your main goal is to keep the inside of your home warm and toasty this winter, then you need to seal up all drafts. As previously mentioned, doors are one of the most common spots where drafts will form. Old windows will also allow a lot of warm air to escape. Allowing these drafts to persist will lead to your monthly energy bill rising substantially.

The best way to avoid this problem is by investing in new windows. Modern windows are designed to be energy-efficient and durable. Taking the time to measure your existing windows is the first step in securing the right replacements.

As you check out the window replacement options at your disposal, you need to check the Energy Star rating of each one. The higher this rating is, the more energy you can save with the windows in question. Once the right replacement windows have been selected, you should hire experienced professionals to install them properly.

Think About Upgrading Your Water Heater

When waking up to a cold home, the first thing most people do is jump in a hot shower. If your current water heater is older, getting the blast of hot water you need on a cold winter morning will be difficult. Instead of allowing your old and inefficient water heater to get in the way of progress, you need to explore replacement options.

Rather than going back with a tank water heater, you need to think about a tankless option. With a tankless water heater, you can heat water at the point of entry. This means you will have a virtually unlimited supply of hot water. These water heaters are also far more efficient. By investing in a tankless water heater, you can save money without sacrificing your comfort.

It’s Time to Choose Winter Upgrades For Your Home

There is no denying just how important the right upgrades are for your overall level of comfort in winter. By using one or more of the upgrades in this article, you can make your home warm and cozy.