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 off all outdoor faucets, and disconnect the garden hose and store it for the winter. Flush outside faucets before winter to remove any excess water that could freeze and burst pipes. Use a faucet cover to help prevent frozen pipes.
Inside:
- Make sure your heating vents aren’t 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. (Watch CUB’s instructional video.) Turn off the fan 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 the fireplace, make sure the damper is closed to prevent warm air from escaping.
- Always check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they’re working properly. Replace the batteries if you’re unsure of the last time they were changed.
- Need to make some upgrades? 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.
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.
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.
