Three Important ways to get your home ready for Winter in the Summer

#1 - Thermal Drapes

August is a great time to purchase thermal insulated drapes.  This year I wanted to get new thermal drapes for the bedroom. Thanks to a great sale at Shopko I  ordered 10 panels for my bedroom.  Yep - 10 panels - one of my bedroom walls is complete windows! Beautiful but a bit chilly in the coldest months of winter
The best part about buying them early is I saved  so much money. The panels were 55% off. Waiting until you need the drapes will cost you more and sizes and colors are often hard to find. I checked in the store and there was not 10 panels of the oatmeal color I wanted so I placed my order online - super easy with free shipping. I know when it gets cold even online will be out of many colors and sizes.

This year I decided to also add thermal drapes in my kitchen - I have a sitting area surrounded by windows. I also need 10 panels for the kitchen sitting area.   I was able to get 10 panels today on sale - SAGE green. I also picked up decorative rods at 40% off to hang the thermal drapes for winter. SHOPKO has excellent sales on drapes.

Last winter during the bitter cold and high winds we could definitely feel the cold while  sitting at the kitchen table. Our plan is to not have a cold draft for this winter. I have never had drapes in the kitchen so this is a total change for me. Over the years I have had curtains, cornices, and valances. Drapes should give the room a totally different look. I am excited to get the drapes up. When I get the kitchen done for winter I will be sharing on my blog - so please check back.

#2 Tune Up Your Heating System & Clean ducts

Late summer is a excellent time to have your furnace checked. Many furnace repair companies offer discounts during late summer and early fall.   Take advantage of their slow season to ensure the furnace guy is NOT coming to your home when the temps are below zero - at midnight - costing you a arm and a leg to get your furnace fixed! We also take this time to check out our air ducts to make sure they are clean.

#3 Prevent Roof Ice Dams

To prevent ice dams we use roof heating tape. It is amazing how a heated tape on the roof can prevent ice build-up. We leave our roofing tape up all year long. My hubby checks the tape

each August to make sure it is working and ready for winter. He will also do a final check in late October.  
You can purchase heating roof tape for any hardware store. It can be kind of pricey so always look for sales. When we need new tape we start watching ads in August and keep checking until it is on sale - then we head to the store to buy our new heating tape on sale. Makes a big difference when you can sale 20 - 25% on a item. 

By starting your preventive maintenance in August you are able to take advantage of sales and discounts. Not to mention you are spreading the workload over months instead of a weekend in late October.

Make sure to check back for September Winterizing Tips!