What do you do to prepare your home for winter?

I find it fascinating that in North America (well the cold bits) that there is a whole routine to "winterising" (I've heard it called that) a house.

I'm lucky. I live in a very temperate climate where the only thing that I have to do is make sure the cover is on the evaporative aircooling unit on the roof. Other than that - nothing.

But it will be interesting to read what folks in colder climes need to do. Note - this is not gloating, I have been fascinated with this since I was in Regina, Sask. and they told me what the little plug things were for on the radiators of their cars.

I find if certain rooms have big windows they seem to let in the cold so closing adjoining doors and defiantely drawing curtains makes a huge difference.

We have he-man style winters in Catskill Mountains and I noticed more people stacking wood than ever before (we mostly run on fossil fuel in this area of the country). We basically rebuilt our 1860 farmhouse to be more fuel efficient a few years back, so we don't have to do much from that standpoint. I do stock up on some canned goods because it can be a real pain going the 16 miles to the grocery store in a blizzard. We do have excellent plow service, but I don't work in the winter so I try and stay home.

My little personal rituals: I go to all the local library summer fairs and stock up on winter reading material (I have a big basket just to hold these books), I buy a few good brands of hot chocolate and many varieties of tea. I usually buy a new throw blanket, since the dogs always manage to steal the previous seasons. I take my heavy shawls, down blanket and polarfleece out of the cedar chest. I burn the decorative birch logs in the fireplace so we can start using the oak and ash. I paint, so I make sure all my supplies are in good working order and I can avoid a trip to the arts and crafts store. Although now with the instant gratification of the internet, hearts desire is just a click away in any season.

Greenwitch
Greenwitch, I enjoyed reading about your fall rituals. I live in Albuquerque, New Mexico. We get light snowfall on rare occasions on the 5,000 feet above sea level high desert mesa, but it melts rapidly.

I've learned that wool sweaters are the most economical way of staying warm during winter. Most people don't realize wool is much warmer than the synthetic yarns in most clothing.

I've also learned how to use my ceiling fans to maximize the feeling of warmth while not having to have the furnace turned on high. Having a well-built house with good windows and insulation helps. My energy bills are lower than most people's as a result.

BBB

I am insulating my water heaters.Putting plastic film over all the windows I don't use and catch one big barbado.

Algis


Interesting. Some state building codes require water heaters to be surrounded by insulation as a condition of building permit approval. This applies to a new house as well as water heaters being replaced in older homes.

BBB

Mostly nagging Mr. Noddy for the usual seasonal chores.

Today I hope he can fill the bird feeders (hung to high for me to fill myself) and clean the air conditioner (inaccessible for me without a step stool).

BBB
I put on a wool sweater this morning, but probably will have to turn on the heat tonight. My littlest dog, Dolly, shivered when I put her and Maddy outside this morning.

BBB

I use plastic sheeting too, Algis.

Insulate any outside water outlets. They can conduct enough heat outside to cause water pipes to freeze. I may add a fiberglass wrap to the water heater, and will definately extend existing pipe insulation further into the house.

Roger


As Albuquerque is further south from you, I've not had to wrap my outdoor faucets so far. My contractor didn't think I needed to do so.

BBB

Oh, boy, where to start:

1. place draft socks under doors to guest room (we only heat it when it's used)
2. Insulate outdoor faucets
3. Drain and store hoses
4. Drain, blow out sprinkler system
5. Disconnect, drain irrigation line
6. Plastic sheeting over windows
7. Annual heater maintenance to make sure it's ready to go
8. Cover air conditioner
9. Turn off attic fan
10. Till/fertilize garden for next year
11. Plant garlic
12. Annual maintenance on tractor
13. Place snow blade on tractor
14. Replace heat lamp bulb in well house (on a temp. controller to prevent freezing.
15. Stack wood
16. Set mouse traps (only have a mouse prob in winter)
17. Drain/clean pond
18. Trim bushes
19. Cover perennial beds with straw
20. Bundle up and wait for snow.

AliceInWonderland
AliceInWonderland, whew! I'm pooped just reading your list of chores. Where do you live that you have to do so much to survive the winter?

I was thinking of raking up the little dog poops in the garden from Maddy and Dolly. But I thought it would be easier when they get really cold. Any excuse will do for the doo doo.

BBB

Idaho - high desert, on a small farm. Hot in Summer, cold in Winter, windy all the time. Sounds terrible when I write it that way.

Alice


Albuquerque is also high desert at 5,000 FASL, but further South, which makes a big difference.

What do you produce on your farm? Do you also have livestock?

I know Dyslexia will be interested as he was once a farmer.

BBB

Barley or potatoes, rotating. No livestock.

in no particular order --

disconnect garden hoses & shut off water valve; remove air conditioners & box fans from windows; replace screens with storm windows; reinstall removable stairwell door up to attic; save some newspaper for fireplace kindling; fill & plug in bedroom humidifier; throw heavy quilt on bed :); get snow shovels & rock salt from garage, put on porch; remove seat cushions from porch sofa; cut grass one last time...