Winter is finally here. You can tell by the bare trees, early nights, 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, request a visit from a qualified technician to examine, clean and tune up the equipment. The most affordable way to keep your heating system in tip-top shape over time is to sign up for a Maintenance+ membership.
Get a professional to inspect and clean your wood-burning stove or fireplace annually. This service takes care of 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 excellent 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 find with weatherstripping, caulk, foam gaskets and expanding spray foam.
Ceiling fans keep you cool in the summer, but they can also distribute warm air down to the living space in the winter. For best results, set your fans on low and run them in reverse. This method is ideal for stairwells and rooms with vaulted ceilings.
Another way to winterize your home is to exchange delicate, 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 additional insulation against the cold night air.
As the temperature falls, exposed pipes are at risk of freezing and bursting. Install 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 additional layer of protection in especially frigid climates.
Sealing up your house, baking more and heating with combustion appliances increases the risk of home fires and carbon monoxide poisoning in 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 near sleeping areas. Test your alarms every month and change the batteries twice yearly.
Do you still have an old analog thermostat? You might save on heating bills this winter by upgrading to a programmable model. Pre-programmed settings optimize the temperature throughout the day, so you can set it and forget it. A Wi-Fi thermostat is a high-tech option that lets you adjust the settings remotely using an internet-enabled device. You also benefit from automatically generated energy reports and maintenance tips.
Ice dams are ridges of ice that form along the eaves, preventing melted snow from draining off the roof. When ignored, ice dams can allow water to flow under the shingles and damage structures in the attic. Use these tips to avoid ice dams this winter:
Slips and falls are more 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. Remember to read the directions for specific application tips and recommended precautions.
Many winterization tips relate directly to your home heating, cooling,and plumbing systems. If you need help winterizing your home, call Matz-Rightway. We offer affordable furnace maintenance and repair, plumbing work, and other services to prepare your home for winter. For more info about our services or to {request|schedule|arrange]] an estimate, please contact your local Matz-Rightway office today.
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