After thoroughly enjoying the cabin all summer, it is generally at Thanksgiving that it is closed for the winter. Here are the chores you need to accomplish to keep your cabin in good shape and our life hacks to make things easier.
Outdoor
To preserve your cabin and all the equipment therein and ensure a pleasant return, it is essential to take the time to wash and store outdoor equipment.
Thus, clean and store the garden furniture; pull out of the water and put away the boats, canoes, kayaks and pedal boats and make sure that all the tools and garden equipment are in their place, protected from the weather.
When everything is in its place, go around the cabin to ensure that the exterior portion is in good condition, that the windows and doors are properly caulked and that all openings, whether small or large, are closed.
Besides, do not forget to close the chimney, air vents or basement windows! Small rodents and other animals could be tempted to find refuge there during the winter.
Are the steps mentioned above completed? The time has come to close the cabin!
In the kitchen
Empty the pantry and remove all the food as it will attract insects and small animals.
Run a damp cloth through cabinets where the food was stored to remove crumbs or food residue.
Of course, bring back beer and wine bottles, even empty ones, the smell of which could invite pests to feast.
Empty the fridge, defrost the freezer and unplug everything.
As for the cupboards, wash the fridge and keep the door ajar by blocking it with an object to prevent foul odours from developing.
In the bedrooms
To prevent moisture from permeating household fabrics, remove the sheets, wash the bedding and store it in an airtight container. Do the same with bathroom towels and table linens.
Heating: should you leave it on or not?
Turning off the heating completely will greatly reduce electricity costs.
However, an environment that is not heated will risk degrading more quickly due to the humidity that will accumulate there. In addition, your cabin will be at risk of pipe breakage if all your pipes have not been properly emptied.
If this is still your preferred option, be sure to turn off the water, open all the faucets, and drain the pipes. You will also need to blow air into the pipes and pour plumbing antifreeze into them. You can do these tasks yourself or hire a professional to do them.
If you have Sinopé smart thermostats, you can put them in Off mode from your smartphone, tablet or even your computer since the Neviweb application is also available in a Web version.
In this way, your thermostats will not heat up, but you will retain full remote control of them, and you will be able to see the ambient temperature in your chalet at all times.
The use of Sinopé thermostats has a significant advantage, that of being able to turn the heating back on remotely. Thus, no matter when you return to your cabin, whether in winter or spring, you can reactivate the heating in advance so that the ambient temperature is comfortable and less humid upon your arrival.
Do you prefer to maintain a little heat?
Do you want to prevent the deterioration of your cabin caused by humidity and are worried about your pipes? Instead, opt for maintaining low heat in the cottage. You can counter frost by assigning a set temperature of 5°C to your thermostats while reducing your electricity bill.
Thanks to Sinopé smart thermostats, you can keep an eye on your cottage remotely and ensure that the ambient temperature is well maintained everywhere, at all times.
Turning off the water heater
In a cottage, like at home, up to 20% of your annual electricity bill goes to heating water.
Switching off the water heater during prolonged absences will grant you great energy savings. However, turning it back on in advance so that the water is at the right temperature will allow you to enjoy the hot water as soon as you arrive at the cabin.
Thanks to Sinopé, it is also possible to control the water heater remotely and safely. Keep an eye out for our new products coming this fall!
Cut off the well’s pump power supply
Do you want to cut off the power supply to the well pump? This can be done remotely thanks to the smart electrical load controller. So you can easily control everything from your mobile device and automate actions.
Close the main water inlet and prevent water damage
In the event of prolonged absence, close your main water inlet to avoid any risk of water damage.
Don't worry if you forgot to do it before leaving the cottage. Thanks to the Sedna valve, you can do it remotely wherever you are.
Get a head start
Nothing is smarter than activating everything remotely: heating, water heating, and the ability to open and close the main water inlet. As a result, you will be able to enjoy the cabin as soon as you arrive, rather than having to go through all the routine handling once you get there and waiting for comfort to return...
Two features are particularly useful in a cabin context:
Geofencing allows you to activate instructions based on your distance from the cabin. Thus, there is no need for headaches: everything closes and turns on automatically once you cross the geographical barrier you have chosen in your account.
In the context of closing the cabin, the automations are great, especially when you leave. For example, by programming a device automation, you could choose to turn everything off with a "double click" on the Sinopé entrance light switch.
The conclusion
Closing the cabin is an essential step at the end of the summer season. It can be long, tedious… or greatly simplified when using smart devices.
Moreover, to help you close the cottage during the Thanksgiving weekend, we have prepared a list of tasks that you can print out so that you do not forget anything. To download the list, click here.
Happy cottage closing weekend!
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