Winterizing Your Home
It is true that we live in a very nice place with fairly mild weather. It is also true that it can get pretty cold here in the Winter time. We don’t receive a lot of snow, but the temperatures typically dip below freezing most nights. It’s not like we live in Alaska, but there are certain things that a home owner can, and should do to prepare for the colder weather. For more information on homeowners tips please visit my website.
Check for Drafts
Every door and window has the potential to let a little cold air in. There are products on the market that allow a home owner to minimize the flow of cold air under doors and around windows. The first step is to identify where the cold air is coming from. This is usually easiest to accomplish by looking for daylight coming through, or around the opening. Most big box home stores provide a lot of help for do it yourself projects including winterization kits, ideas, and help.
Outside Water
With cold weather approaching it is a good idea to disconnect the hose from the house. It may be nice during the day, but it is still a good idea to leave the hose unhooked from the house when you are finished using it. It can also be a good idea to put an insulated valve cover over the bib. Most sprinkling systems have an automatic drain system, but it is a good idea to blow the sprinkler lines out.
Heating System Service
It is also wise to have your heating system serviced before you actually turn it on. At very least, it is a good idea to change the air filter on your heating and a/c system. This is something that should be changed several times a year, but certainly when you switch from heat to cooling. Some Heating and A/C companies offer a special for consumers that get their systems checked prior to peak season. There are also companies that will clean heating and air conditioning ducts.
Ceiling Fans
Did you ever wonder what that little switch was for on your ceiling fan? It switches the direction that the fan is spinning. When it is switched the air is either being pushed down to the ground or pulled up toward the ceiling. When they air is pulled up it, pulls air upward creating recirculation. It is estimated that this may save around 9% on your heating bill.
Plug Some Holes
In addition to checking for windows and doors that are letting air in, you may want to dig a little deeper and check the window and door casings. Once you have determined where the cold air is sneaking in, you can caulk the openings.
It might seem that taking these little steps is not worth the time and effort, but the savings might surprise you. What if you were to save 10-20% of your last years heating bill. Most of the steps we have mentioned are do it yourself friendly and relatively easy. If you are concerned that your heating bill is way to high you may want to see if you can qualify for assistance from HEAT. This is Washington County public assistance program.
This blog post was shared by Kevin Richey.
View Kevin’s website HERE.