As winter weather arrives, many homeowners will be taking measures to keep their families warm throughout the season. In addition to stocking up on hot cocoa and comfortable blankets, taking a few straightforward steps to ready your home for cold temperatures can go a long way. Don’t hibernate for the winter — just prepare for it.
Follow these simple tips to combat cold outdoor temperatures:
Check the caulk and weather strips around doors and windows. The Department of Energy recommends caulking your window frames and any potential cracks that air could escape from to not only help keep warm air trapped in your home during the cold, but to help evade water damage and ensure adequate indoor air quality.
Wrap water pipes in your basement or crawl space with insulation sleeves.
Consider purchasing an insulated cover for your hot water heater.
The fireplace is a great source of heat but before you turn it on, be sure to have your chimney cleaned and inspected by a professional. The fireplace could release carbon monoxide if it isn’t properly cleaned and maintained.
Keep your fireplace flue closed when not in use.
Make sure drapes, furniture or other home decor isn’t blocking heating vents.
Keep cabinet doors open overnight to allow warm air to circulate around pipes.
If your home will be vacant during cold periods, consider draining the water pipes.
Make sure that carbon monoxide detectors are installed on each floor of your home, specifically near bedrooms, and test them to confirm they are working properly.
Make it a priority to change the air filter in your furnace every month. This will prevent the restriction of air flow which will could aggravate respiratory issues.
Add thick or thermal curtains to help hold warm air inside your home. It’s easy to lose warm air to a window with a very thin curtain, and even easier to lose warm air to a window with no covering.
Put rugs on your hardwood and tile floors to help keep your home warmer when outdoor temperatures are cold.
Make sure your furnace has been tuned up by an HVAC technician and is ready to perform at maximum efficiency during the cold months ahead. Additionally, a professional safety check of your heating system will ensure that there are no leaks or carbon monoxide issues.
Don’t try to use the oven, a grill, or a camp stove to heat your home. Utilizing unreliable heating methods can cause a fire or create dangerous levels of carbon monoxide.
Whether you need a furnace tune-up, a safety inspection or a complete home comfort analysis, Service Experts is prepared to help as you winterize your home. Trust the Experts to give you the peace of mind that your family will be safe and warm throughout the winter season.
