As the temperature drops and the chill in the air turns to frost, it’s time to turn your attention to ensuring your home is ready for winter. Much like your car, your home needs some preparation for the upcoming elements, too. Here are some tips to help make sure your abode is cozy, energy-efficient and safe as Old Man Winter makes his appearance.
Reverse Your Fans
You may not often think about your ceiling fan blades, but come winter, you should. Turns out, if you switch the direction of the ceiling fan blades to spin clockwise and run on low speed, you can gently circulate warm air down from the ceiling, according to EnergyStar.gov.
Maintain Your Chimney
If you have a working fireplace, get your chimneys cleaned and inspected annually by a pro to help decrease the risk of fire from buildup or blockages, says the Chimney Safety Institute of America. These yearly inspections may also help to prevent carbon monoxide intrusion.
Adjust the Temperature on Your Water Heater
While making home adjustments, consider lowering the temperature on your water heater. Most are set at 140 degrees Fahrenheit as a default, but some households only need a setting of 120 degrees Fahrenheit for comfort. A lower temperature may also reduce wear and tear on the pipes, and according to the Department of Energy (DOE), save you as much as $30 per year for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit the temperature is lowered.
Tune Up Your Furnace
When it’s time to crank up the heat, you want to be sure it’s running properly. Consult a technician for an annual tune-up before the system requires daily use, says This Old House. If you haven’t already, install (or pay a pro to install) a programmable thermostat that can automatically lower the temperature when people aren’t home. You may save as much as 10 percent a year on heating, according to EnergyStar.gov.
Block Drafts
This winter, you don’t want cold drafts making their way into your living room. Use weatherstripping, window film and caulk to help control heat loss around doors, windows and baseboards. According to the DOE, a reduction in drafts may save up to 30 percent in energy costs per year. And if your home has storm doors, remove the screens and replace them with the glass panels.
Get Your Snow Blower Ready
Consult the owner’s manual and give your snow blower a thorough pre-season checkup. Be sure to fill up your blower with fresh gas, unless you have an electric model, and check the tire pressure, says Consumer Reports.
Avoid a Burst Pipe
Water freezing in your home’s pipes may cause serious problems. To help combat this, shut off the water to exterior faucets and drain the lines, FairfaxCounty.gov advises. You’ll also want to insulate any pipes near the exterior walls of your home or in unheated areas like a garage, says the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety.
Prevent Frozen Locks
If you’ve ever been stuck outdoors in below zero weather trying to get inside your toasty abode, you know the importance of lock de-icer. Spray exterior door locks with powdered-graphite lubricant, which you can buy at your local hardware store, to help keep them from freezing and sticking in extreme cold, says REALTOR® Magazine.