With winter knocking at the door, now’s the time to make final preparations for keeping your home as cozy and comfortable as possible during the coming months. In addition to improving quality of life for residents, updating the insulation will also help to lower utility costs, since your heat pump won’t need to work as hard. Here are five steps you can take.

How to Improve Your Home’s Insulation 

1. Install Weatherstripping

To prevent cold from sneaking in and heat from flowing out through leaky windows and doors, inspect the weatherstripping for signs of peeling and cracking. Install new stripping and caulking to seal things tightly and keep your home as energy-efficient as possible.

2. Update Your Heat Pump

Appliances are always improving, which means that the heat pump you installed in your home several years ago likely isn’t as efficient as those available on the market today. If your pump doesn’t seem to adequately keep your home warm consistently and evenly—or if your energy bill is always a bit higher than you’d like—it may be time to think about calling your local HVAC contractor and upgrading to a newer, smarter model.

3. Plug Your Chimney

Having a fireplace can help create a delicious sense of warmth and coziness, but the chimney can also provide an exit for warm air and an entrance for cold. Because of this, it’s smart to block the chimney whenever it’s not in use. Closing the flue won’t take much effort, but it may have a big impact on your energy savings.

4. Use a Door Snake

To stop drafts in the rooms of your house, especially in the entry room, consider using a door snake to block the cracks between the door and the floor. These items are elongated cloth packages stuffed with foam, wool, or another insulating material and weighted down on the bottom. They can be chosen to fit the patterns and color schemes of any room.

5. Install Thicker Curtains

Something as small as the quality of the curtains in your home can also make a difference in comfort and warmth. Swap out lighter, thinner curtains for heavier ones this winter. Keep them open during the day to allow the sunlight in but close them tight at night for an extra layer of insulation in front of the windows. Curtains might not have the power of a heat pump behind them, but you’ll be surprised how effective such a small action can be.

If you’re seeking assistance with heat pump maintenance, A/C installation, HVAC inspections, and other services, the team at Robert L. Shealy Heating & Air Conditioning is ready to help. For over 40 years, they’ve provided their services to homeowners in the area of West Columbia, including Columbia and Lexington, SC, and all of Lexington and Richland counties. Learn more about the company today by visiting them online or calling (803)796-1923.