Community News

An always-appropriate topic for this time of year is to give readers a gentle nudge to complete some projects around that house that will increase comfort and ideally decrease long-term costs.  The earlier you start on your annual checklist the better, but it’s never too late. Here are some of the top tips to be winter ready. 

Your furnace being in maximum working condition is most certainly the key to a cozy winter.  It is recommended to have it serviced on an annual basis, and the filters should be changed every three months.  It’s always a good idea to schedule your service work earlier in the season so that it is ready to go when the first cold snap hits “unexpectedly.”

Investigating to see if you need additional insulation, especially in the attic space but crawlspace or outer walls as well, is a simple process.  Though it does cost a bit upfront to add layers, the long-term savings add up. 

Uninsulated pipes can cause extreme damage.  Indoor pipes that run through attics, crawl spaces, or exterior walls can potentially burst in freezing temperatures. The use of foam sleeves, insulation, or heat tape can ward off frozen pipes and impending unwanted surprises.  Additionally, outside of the home, drain your hoses and store them for the winter and turn off the water supply to outdoor faucets.

The well-being of heating ducts is important so that the heat you are paying for is actually enjoyed.  Ducts need to be checked regularly for leakage.  The U.S. Department of Energy states that the energy efficiency of an HVAC system can improve by almost 20% simply by sealing up and insulating ducts throughout the house.  They should also be vacuumed on occasion to clean out debris that settles in them.

A trip to the hardware store to purchase caulk and weather stripping can be very productive. A bit of caulk comes in handy, especially around window frames, door frames, and outlets.  Weather stripping can be added around areas that still need to stay movable such as doors and windows.  Keeping these air leaks at bay will pay off your monthly utility bill.

At the same time that we “fall back” with our time, remember that the simple step of reversing the direction of any ceiling fans in your home will push that coveted warm air back into your living space.  The blades will need to turn clockwise this time of year.

Storm doors and windows are key in reducing the amount of cold air sneaking into your home.  If cost prohibitive, other options include clear plastic or even bubble wrap to add another effective and fairly inexpensive layer of protection to seal off leaks.

The addition of motion-censored outdoor lighting for our extra dark mornings and evenings is another idea to both increase safety by having lighted walkways and reduce costs from needing to leave lights on for an indefinite amount of time to fit individual schedules.

For those who enjoy the extra warmth provided by a fireplace or wood stove, restocking the wood pile with seasoned firewood should be on your “to-do” list. Hiring a chimney sweep on a regular basis, depending on the amount of personal use, is also important to keep the fires burning safely and efficiently.

Cleaning out gutters after the leaves have stopped falling will ideally keep the water flowing in the proper direction when melting snow occurs throughout the season. However, it is important to take it one step further to ensure the moisture really stays away from your home and no water damage occurs by checking for leaks in the gutters, using extensions at the end of the drain pipes, and checking that negative grade exists away from the entire foundation of the house. Hiring an arborist to take a deeper look around your property to identify potential problems with existing trees can help prevent major issues that may occur after heavy winter storms. 

There are countless other ideas, both big and small, to make certain that your home is winter ready and that your monthly utility bills don’t get out of control. Time spent productively at the beginning of the season will help you rest assured that you can enjoy the annual winter wonderland.