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No matter one you are located, winter can always bring temps that dip down cold and bring unpredictable weather such as many inches of snow and dangerous ice. With that being said, is your home ready for winter?

Winterizing - from climates that expect snow and below-freezing temps for months to regions that experience a cooling off and unpredictable precipitation - can help your home withstand the ups, downs and erratic moods of Mother Nature. Here are some helpful tips to help make sure your home is ready for the winter season.

  • Have your furnace inspected. Since your heating system will probably be running constantly throughout the winter, you should have it inspected annually to help if run efficiently and prevent an CO from entering the home. Also remember to change out your HVAC filters every month.
  • Inspect the insulation in your attic and crawlspaces. Warm air rises and leaves the house through the roof, so you should focus on insulation in your ceilings. Insulating the crawlspaces will help keep your floors warm.
  • Seal potential leaks. Seal areas around recessed lights, the attic hatch, and plumbing vents that may be allowing warm air from the living space below to enter the attic.
  • Allow for ventilation. Proper attic ventilation, adequate attic insulation, and a tight air barrier between the attic and the interior of the house will work together to prevent any ice dams.
  •  Use window sheet kits. If you don't have double-paned or storm windows pick up a plastic-film sheet kit from your local hardware store. These will only last one season, but they do help with energy efficiency and are able to halt the cold flow of winter drafts.
  • Apply weather stripping. Add weather stripping to doors and caulk window gaps. Make sure all windows are locked to keep out as much cold air as possible.
  • Use a fireplace. If you plan to use it, schedule an inspection and service by a professional to make sure your chimney is clear of debris and make sure that your damper opens, closes, and seals tightly.
  • Insulate pipes. Pipes located in attics, crawl spaces, basements, and near outer walls can be susceptible to freezing in extreme temperatures. Insulate to help prevent any pipes from freeing. When the forecast calls for unusually cold temperatures:
    • Let water drip from hot and cold faucets overnight.
    • Keeping cabinet doors open to allow warm air to circulate in places like below sinks. If you open the cabinet doors, be sure to remove anything inside the cabinets that may pose a hazard to children, such as household cleaners.
  • Finally, consult your local utility company about an energy assessment to determine where your home is losing energy and what energy-smart investments would make sense.

 

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