Now that you’ve prepared your garden for winter, let’s tackle the inside of your home.

Where to start? How about checking out your furnace to make sure it’s in tip-top shape for the cold temperatures ahead?

Unless you’re incredibly handy, you’ll need to call an HVAC company to make sure your furnace is running smoothly (many companies include routine check-ups in their maintenance plans). We recommend a local Kansas City company, Santa Fe Air Conditioning and Heating. The HVAC company will check the fans and the belt that runs the blower and change the filter.

Handy tip: you may want to change your filter once a month so it runs more efficiently. And, it will save you money in the long run.

Another way to save on your energy bill and prepare your home for winter is to make sure you have plenty of insulation in your attic. Experts recommend at least twelve inches to keep the warm air inside during cool months. If yours is lacking, adding another layer can help to keep you warm. And, if you have an attic fan, you should check to see if it’s wise to add a cover.

Love to use your wood burning fireplace during the cold months? Now’s the time to call a chimney sweep to make sure the damper is working and the chimney is clear. Since a traditional fireplace tends to pull heated air out of your home, you may want to look into converting the fireplace to gas.

Cold air likes to creep in through cracks; now’s a good time to check all the seals on your windows. Adding caulk around window frames and weather stripping can help to eliminate the problem. If you have storm windows, you need to make sure that they’re installed properly. Of course, replacing old windows with double or triple pane windows is the best way to keep cold air out.

Finally, be sure to reverse ceiling fans so they blow warm air down (should be clockwise). With a little preparation, you can make sure that your family stays warm this winter. And, you’ll save a few extra dollars on your energy bills.