Get Your Home Ready for Winter
You may have blinked and missed summer happening here in Pōneke this year. Believe it or not, that brief reprieve of sunshine and beach trips (maybe not…) has been and gone, and the days are shortening fast.
Before the chill properly sets in, it pays to get your home ready. Don’t get caught out by the cold—here are some easy ways to keep your whare warm and dry.
Service your heat pump.
We’ve all felt the power bills biting. When you’re heating your home, you want to make sure that you’re getting bang for your buck.
Before you switch the heat pump back on for the year, give it a quick clean and check over. Vacuum the filters, verify that the outdoor unit is clean and clear, and turn it on to make sure nothing is amiss. Consumer has a helpful guide on how to maintain your unit at home. If you’re hearing a funny noise or seeing any leaking, we offer professional heat pump servicing—book here.
Dust your heaters.
Did you know that dust build-up inside a heater is a fire risk? Dust, lint and other debris can work its way inside your heaters and either clog up the airflow or act as fuel for a fire. Make sure you give your heaters a good wipe down before turning them on again this winter.
Set up your heat pump timer and temperature.
Set the temperature on your heat pump to 18–20°C for a good balance between comfortable and cost-saving, and programme it to come on about 20 minutes before you come home (depending how quickly your room heats up). If you want to feel the heat a bit more, crank up the fan, not the temperature.
Once your timer and preferences are set up, you can enjoy coming home to a warm whare every day, no effort required. With the right settings, you can save on your power bill and still stay cosy.
Check your draught-proofing.
If there’s one thing Pōneke is known for, it’s wind. Check for gaps around window frames, floorboards, and external doors. When your house isn’t airtight, draughts allow cold air to enter and warm air to escape. While you might not notice them in summer, these gaps can increase your winter power bill—all that money spent on heating flows straight outdoors!
Draught-proofing is one of the cheapest and easiest DIY ways to make your home a bit healthier too. Use weather strips for windows and doorframes, door snakes for gaps under doors, and silicone sealant for any cracks or gaps in walls and flooring. Renter tip: If you have significant gaps or windows that won't close, your landlord is responsible for fixing these under the Healthy Homes Standards.
Show your curtains some love.
Curtains are a powerful tool to keep your home warm and dry. Do some simple checks to make sure yours are in good shape: check the curtain and lining for mould and clean off any small spots, give them a dust or a spot clean, and make sure they’re fitting the window correctly.
To spot clean, use some soapy water and a cloth to scrub before rinsing thoroughly and air drying in the sun. If you’re seeing a lot of mould, we recommend replacing curtains, wiping off condensation from windows when you see it, and trying to reduce moisture levels in your home.
For optimum insulation, your curtains should be fully-lined and fall to the floor—plus a bit more. A pelmet (aka cornice board) is another great way to stop cold air entering on those chilly evenings.
Inspect your whare for leaks.
Storms are dumping increasing amounts of rain across the Wellington region. With more rain (and wind), comes the potential for more leaks. If you spot any stains or mouldy patches appearing on your ceiling, that could indicate a leak. Likewise, any damp patches or rotting wood on walls, floorboards or carpets. Inspect around appliances and check if your taps are leaking—especially your hot water tap, as this could be costing you.
If you’re able to get into your ceiling and underfloor spaces, take a look at your insulation and make sure it isn’t feeling wet or looking overly compressed. It can hold onto moisture from leaks and increase overall dampness in your home. If you think you need it replaced or topped up, get in touch with us.
Clear your gutters.
Plato probably said clear gutters equals a clear mind. That’s how we feel anyway—when it’s stormy outside and everything is working as it should.
All you need is a ladder for this one. If it’s safe to do so, take a good look at your drainpipes and gutters around your roof. Wind blows leaves and other debris into them constantly in this city, so it pays to stay on top of clearing them. Functional drainage throughout your whole home is also a requirement of the Healthy Homes Standards: “a rental property must efficiently drain storm water, surface water and ground water to an appropriate outfall, and include appropriate gutters, downpipes, and drains to remove water from the roof.”
So, if you’re renting, you can always ask your landlord to keep your gutters in good nick for you—especially if you don’t own a ladder.
Get into healthy habits early.
Wipe off any condensation on the windows, every morning. Try a squeegee that collects water, like this one alongside a towel.
Open windows (and doors) on both sides of the house for cross-ventilation. Do this at least 10 minutes twice a day: morning and evening—even when it’s cold outside. Fresh air is dry, and therefore easier to heat.
Open curtains in the morning to make the most of the sun, then close them when it sets to keep the heat in.
After a shower, close the bathroom door and leave the fan on for at least 10 minutes. If your bathroom is feeling extra damp, you can always leave the fan on while you’re out—it uses a very minimal amount of power.
Try not to dry clothes indoors; use a dryer, pop the airer under cover outdoors, or, if necessary, put it in the bathroom with the fan on. If your clothes dryer doesn’t vent outdoors, make sure you leave the bathroom fan on to suck up that moisture too.
Use pot lids and an exhaust fan every time you cook. Fans cost a few cents to run, but greatly reduce the moisture produced by cooking.
If you have a ventilation or ducted heat pump system, make sure you’ve set it up to run efficiently and set your programming.
Renter tip: It’s worth investing in a portable dehumidifier now, especially if you’re noticing particular rooms with dampness issues. We recommend running one in your bedroom to protect your lungs (and clothing!).
Now you’re winter-ready! If you’re still finding your home too cold or damp, we can help.
We offer a free assessment and quote for any of our trades services. To keep your home healthy and cosy, check out heating, central heating, ventilation and insulation—insulation is the most cost-effective way to significantly improve the warmth of your house. You might even be eligible for a 50-90% subsidy, thanks to government funding.
If you’re in the market for a plug-in heater, Te Aro Zero Waste often has quality second-hand options in stock.
Wellington Curtain Bank can provide curtains to anyone in your home with a community services card, and our healthy housing team have programmes for households living with low-income or in energy hardship. Contact us here and we’ll let you know how we can support you.
If you are renting and your whare is not as healthy as it should be, here are some further resources: