Winter is finally here. You can tell by the bare trees, early sunsets, and layer of frost in the 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 this winter.
Your furnace has been dormant all summer. To get it ready for another heating season, arrange for a visit from a qualified technician to inspect, clean and tune up the equipment. The most affordable way to keep your heating system in tip-top shape over the years is to sign up for a Maintenance+ membership.
Hire a professional to examine and clean your wood-burning stove or fireplace once a year. This service removes ash, soot and creosote buildup, which can cause chimney fires. It also grants you peace of mind that the masonry, chimney liner, crown, and other fireplace components are in suitable condition.
As you prepare to run your furnace in cold weather, search for and seal air leaks that allow cold outdoor air to get inside. The easiest way to discover leaks is to hold a lit candle or incense stick near areas that could be leaky, such as 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 circulate warm air down to the living space over the winter. For the best results, set your fans on low and find the switch that lets them spin in reverse. This tactic is best used in stairwells and rooms with vaulted ceilings.
Another way to winterize your home is to swap out light, summery window coverings for thick, insulating drapes. Be sure to pull back the drapes during the day so the sun can warm your home for free. Then, close the curtains after dark for increased insulation against the cold night air.
As the temperature drops, exposed pipes are in danger of freezing and bursting. Install foam pipe insulation to plumbing in the garage, crawlspace or unfinished basement to prevent this. Electric heat tape underneath the insulation creates an added layer of protection in particularly frigid climates.
Sealing up your house, baking more and heating with combustion appliances elevates the risk of home fires and carbon monoxide poisoning during the winter. Be careful with matches, candles and other open flames, and make sure your smoke alarms are working. Then, install CO detectors on every floor of your home, especially outside sleeping areas. Test your alarms monthly and change the batteries twice a year.
Do you still use an old analog thermostat? You can save on heating bills this winter by installing 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 a high-tech option that lets you modify the settings remotely using an internet-enabled device. You also benefit from automatically generated energy reports and maintenance recommendations.
Ice dams are ridges of ice that form along the eaves, preventing melted snow from draining off the roof. Left unaddressed, ice dams can allow water to get under the shingles and damage structures in the attic. Follow these tips to prevent ice dams this winter:
Slips and falls are more common in cold winter weather. Keep your sidewalks and driveway safe by scattering salt, kitty litter or chemical deicer across the pavement to melt the ice and snow. Remember to read the directions for proper application tips and recommended precautions.
Many winterization tips relate primarily to your home heating, cooling,and plumbing systems. If you need help winterizing your home, reach out to Epperson Service Experts. We offer affordable furnace maintenance and repair, plumbing work, and other services to prepare your home for winter weather. For more information about our services or to {request|schedule|arrange]] an estimate, please contact your local Epperson Service Experts office today.
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