Winter is in full swing. You can tell by the leafless trees, early evenings, and layer of frost in the morning. If you haven’t winterized your home yet, you still have time. Use these winterization tips to keep your home safe, efficient and warm during winter.
1. Schedule Maintenance for Your Heating System
Your furnace has been dormant all summer. To prepare it for another heating season, schedule a visit from a qualified technician to inspect, clean and service the equipment. The most affordable way to keep your heating system in great shape over time is to subscribe to a Maintenance+ membership.
2. Have Your Fireplace Inspected
Hire a professional to inspect and clean your wood-burning stove or fireplace once a year. This service clears away ash, soot and creosote buildup, which can result in chimney fires. It also gives you peace of mind that the masonry, chimney liner, crown, and other fireplace components are in good condition.
3. Seal Air Leaks
As you prepare to run your furnace all winter, try to find and seal air leaks that will allow cold outdoor air to get inside. The easiest way to find leaks is to hold a lit candle or incense stick near areas that could be leaky, including 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.
4. Use Ceiling Fans in Reverse
Ceiling fans keep you cool over the summer, but they can also distribute warm air down to the living space during the winter. For better results, set your fans on low and find the switch that lets them spin in reverse. This method is most effective in stairwells and rooms with tall ceilings.
5. Install Insulating Drapes
An additional way to winterize your home is to swap out thin, summery window coverings for heavy, insulating drapes. Be sure to pull back the drapes during the day so the sun warms your home for free. Then, close the curtains after dark for increased insulation against the brisk night air.
6. Insulate Your Pipes
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 under the insulation creates an extra layer of protection in especially frigid climates.
7. Install Smoke Alarms & Carbon Monoxide Detectors
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 functioning. Then, install CO detectors on every floor of your home, especially close to sleeping areas. Test your alarms every month and swap out the batteries twice a year.
8. Upgrade to a Programmable Thermostat
Do you still use an old analog thermostat? You can save on heating bills this winter by getting a programmable model. Pre-programmed settings optimize the temperature at various times of the day, so you can set it and forget it. A Wi-Fi thermostat is an innovative option with the capability to modify the settings remotely using an internet-enabled device. You also benefit from automatically generated energy reports and maintenance tips.
9. Prevent Ice Dams
Ice dams are ridges of ice that develop along the eaves, stopping melted snow from melting off the roof. Left unaddressed, ice dams can allow water to get under the shingles and damage things in the attic. Follow these tips to avoid ice dams this winter:
- Clean the gutters so water can clear away like it should.
- Ventilate the attic to avoid heat buildup that can melt snow from below.
- Seal attic floor penetrations to stop hot air from rising through the ceiling.
- Insulate the attic floor to further restrict heat transfer through the ceiling.
- Seal and insulate ductwork up in the attic.
- Confirm your kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans and the dryer vent lead outside the house, not into the attic.
10. Keep Deicer Handy
Slips and falls are notably common in icy winter weather. Keep your sidewalks and driveway safe to walk on by scattering salt, kitty litter or chemical deicer on the pavement to melt the ice and snow. Remember to read the directions for correct application tips and recommended precautions.
Winterizing Your Home with Pardee Service Experts
Many winterization tips relate closely to your home heating, cooling,and plumbing systems. If you need help winterizing your home, reach out to Pardee Service Experts. We offer affordable furnace maintenance and repair, plumbing support, and other services to prepare the house for winter. For more info about our services or to arrange an estimate, please contact your local Pardee Service Experts office today.