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Are you ready for when the cold wind blows? Here’s a winter prep list

With the winter heating season beginning Oct. 1, it’s time to get your home ready for cold weather.

Outside:

  • Repair damaged shingles, windows and doors.
  • Clear your gutters of any leaves or debris to prevent any roof damage. Inspect your yard for any tree branches that could interfere with power lines.
  • Turn all outdoor faucets off. Flush outside faucets before winter to remove any excess water that could freeze and burst pipes.

Attic:

  • Look for any holes and seal them. Weatherstrip and insulate the attic door or hatch to prevent warm air from escaping out the top of the house.
  • Insulate the floors. If the insulation is even with or below the attic floor joists, it’s time to add more.

Inside:

  • Make sure your heating vents are not blocked by furniture.
  • Run the fan clockwise to pull warm air down from the ceiling and keep it circulating in your home. There should be a switch on the fan to reverse its direction. Turn it off when you leave the room.
  • If you have a fireplace, make sure it is inspected and cleaned before using it. When you’re not using your fireplace, make sure the damper is closed to prevent warm air from escaping.
  • Always check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Building fires and using the furnace could lead to accidental house fires and carbon monoxide exposure. Make sure your detectors are working — replace the batteries if you’re unsure of the last time they were changed.
  • Check out your utility companies’ energy efficiency programs. 

Doors and windows:

  • Use weatherstripping and caulk to seal air leaks, preventing cold air from coming in and warm air going out.
  • Consider installing a door sweep along the bottom of your door to help fill the gap between it and the frame.

Basement:

  • Have a certified heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) contractor inspect your furnace. If your furnace is 15 years or older, you may want to consider upgrading.
  • Check your furnace’s filter as well. A new filter helps your HVAC system operate at its best and last longer.
  • Set your water heater to 120 degrees (warm setting) and cover it with an insulated blanket.

More winter tips here, here, and here.