10 Tips for Winterizing Your Home
Winter is in full swing. You can tell by the bare trees, early sunsets, and layer of frost every 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 this winter.
1. Plan for Maintenance for Your Heating System
Your furnace has been unused all summer. To prepare it for another heating season, arrange for a visit from a qualified technician to examine, clean and tune up the equipment. The most cost-efficient way to keep your heating system in great shape over time is to subscribe to a Maintenance+ membership.2. Have Your Fireplace Inspected
Get a professional to evaluate 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 good condition.3. Seal Air Leaks
As you prepare to run your furnace in cold weather, search for and seal air leaks that will allow cold outdoor air to get inside. The quickest way to notice leaks is to hold a lit candle or incense stick in areas that may be leaky, including 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.4. Use Ceiling Fans in Reverse
Ceiling fans keep you cool over the summer, but they can also circulate warm air down to the living space in the winter. For the best results, set your fans on low and run them in reverse. This tactic is best used in stairwells and rooms with high ceilings.5. Install Insulating Drapes
A different way to winterize your home is to swap out delicate, summery window coverings for heavy, insulating drapes. Remember to pull back the drapes during the day so the sun continues warming your home for free. Then, shut 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. Add foam pipe insulation to plumbing in the garage, crawlspace or unfinished basement to minimize the risk. Electric heat tape beneath the insulation provides an additional layer of protection in very cold 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 near sleeping areas. Test your alarms monthly and swap out the batteries twice a year.8. Upgrade to a Programmable Thermostat
Do you still use an old analog thermostat? You might save on heating bills this winter by upgrading to 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 that lets you change the settings remotely by 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, preventing melted snow from falling off the roof. Left unaddressed, ice dams can allow water to reach under the shingles and damage structural elements in the attic. Use these tips to avoid ice dams this winter:-
- Clean the gutters so water can clear away like it’s supposed to.
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- Ventilate the attic to avoid heat buildup that can melt snow from below.
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- Seal attic floor penetrations to stop warm air from rising through the ceiling.
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- Insulate the attic floor to further restrict heat transfer through the ceiling.
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- Seal and insulate ductwork inside the attic.
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- Ensure your kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans and the dryer vent lead outside the house, not into the attic.
