With the days growing chillier it is time to make preparations for freezing temperatures! Thinking about cold weather probably brings a chill to most homeowners, but by being proactive, you’ll lower your energy bills, increase the efficiency and lifespan of your home’s components, and make your property safer.
Prepare your home to handle the cold freezing temperatures:
Heating Systems:
- Pre-programmed thermostats set at energy-efficient temperatures can save about $180 a year, according to Energy Star. In the winter, keep your thermostat at 65 to 68 degrees during the day and 50 to 60 degrees at night.
- Schedule heating-system maintenance. Keep up with the regular maintenance and cleaning of the boiler or furnace.
- Make sure your furniture isn’t blocking your home’s heating vents.
Plumbing Systems:
- Disconnect and drain all outside hoses. If possible, shut off outside water valves.
- Wrap water pipes in your basement or crawl spaces with insulation sleeves to slow heat transfer.
- Drain sprinkler systems: If you have irrigation systems, blow them out so they don’t freeze. Shut/drain outside spigots.
- Consider an insulated blanket for your hot water heater.
- Keep a slow trickle of water flowing through faucets connected to pipes that run through unheated spaces.
- If your house will be unattended during cold periods, consider winterizing your home (to drain the water system).
- During freezing temperatures, keep cabinet doors open to allow warm air to circulate around pipes.
Exterior:
- Avoid ice dams by keep water from melted snow from refreezing in the gutters and seeping under the roof:
- Clean out gutters.
- Ventilate your attic. The colder it is, the less melting and refreezing on the roof.
- Insulate the attic floor well to minimize the amount of heat rising through the attic from within the house.
- Consider having a water-repellent membrane installed under your roof covering.
Windows/Doors/Fireplace:
- Insulate walls and attics, and caulk and weather-strip doors and windows.
- If you have a fireplace, keep the flue closed when you’re not using it.
- Weatherstripping: Check around windows and doors for cool drafts. Doors are the biggest culprits. Add a door sweep there.
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Why choose The Romanski Group with Keller Williams Realty for your home buying and selling needs? We take a different approach to real estate; one built upon personal touch, win-win philosophy and positive results. Our team is comprised of dedicated professionals specializing in each phase of real estate. In addition, our extensive knowledge of the Lafayette and West Lafayette areas and surrounding communities including Carroll, Clinton, White, Warren, Benton and Howard counties, allows our team to serve you the best. Give us a call (765) 293.9300 or visit us online to get started! Begin your home search now: www.RomanskiGroup.com
