Winter is in full swing. You can tell by the leafless trees, early evenings, and layer of frost every morning. If you haven’t winterized your home yet, it isn’t too late. Run through these winterization tips to keep your home safe, efficient and warm during winter.
Your furnace has been unused all summer. To get it ready for another heating season, request a visit from a qualified technician to examine, clean and service the equipment. The most affordable way to keep your heating system in tip-top shape over time is to enroll in a Maintenance+ membership.
Hire a professional to evaluate and clean your wood-burning stove or fireplace annually. This service clears away ash, soot and creosote buildup, which can cause chimney fires. It also provides you peace of mind that the masonry, chimney liner, crown, and other fireplace components are in good condition.
As you prepare to run your furnace all winter, look for and seal air leaks that enable cold outdoor air to get inside. The easiest way to find leaks is to hold a lit candle or incense stick all around areas that could be leaky, like near windows and doors, recessed light fixtures, plumbing penetrations and electrical outlets. Then, seal the leaks you’ve found with weatherstripping, caulk, foam gaskets and expanding spray foam.
Ceiling fans keep you cool during the summer, but they can also distribute warm air down to the living space in the winter. For better results, set your fans on low and find the switch that lets them spin in reverse. This tactic is ideal for stairwells and rooms with vaulted ceilings.
A different way to winterize your home is to trade out thin, summery window coverings for thicker, insulating drapes. Be sure to pull back the drapes during the day so the sun continues warming your home for free. Then, shut the curtains after dark for added insulation against the cold night air.
As the temperature dips, exposed pipes are in danger of freezing and bursting. Add foam pipe insulation to plumbing in the garage, crawlspace or unfinished basement to keep this from happening. Electric heat tape under the insulation provides an extra layer of protection in especially cold climates.
Sealing up your house, baking more and heating with combustion appliances raises the risk of home fires and carbon monoxide poisoning in the winter. Use caution with matches, candles and other open flames, and make sure your smoke alarms are working. Then, put in CO detectors on every floor of your home, particularly near sleeping areas. Test your alarms monthly and change the batteries every six months.
Do you still own an old analog thermostat? You can save on heating bills this winter by getting a programmable model. Pre-programmed settings optimize the temperature at different times of the day, so you can set it and forget it. A Wi-Fi thermostat is an innovative option with the capability to adjust the settings remotely by using an internet-enabled device. You also benefit from automatically generated energy reports and maintenance advice.
Ice dams are ridges of ice that develop along the eaves, blocking melted snow from draining off the roof. When ignored, ice dams can allow water to reach under the shingles and damage structures in the attic. Try these tips to avoid ice dams this winter:
Slips and falls are particularly common in icy winter weather. Keep your sidewalks and driveway safe by scattering salt, kitty litter or chemical deicer on the pavement to melt the ice and snow. Don’t forget to read the directions for proper application tips and any potential precautions.
Many winterization tips relate primarily to your home heating, cooling,and plumbing equipment. If you need help winterizing your home, contact Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. We offer quality furnace maintenance and repair, plumbing work, and other services to prepare you for winter weather. For more information about our services or to {request|schedule|arrange]] an estimate, please contact your local Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing office today.
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