Besides raking leaves in the Fall, it is also time to winterize your home and property to ensure efficiency for the winter months. Simple steps will help make your home a cozier place to live, too! These tips are for the Pacific Northwest region where we experience snow and freezing temperatures.
- Have your furnace serviced. If you are not on a seasonal service contract with your HVAC company, you should be. Make sure to ask about a carbon monoxide test for leakage. Ask how often you should be changing your furnace filter, too.
- If you have a wood burning fireplace or stove, have this and your vents cleaned now. It is one more step to avoid carbon monoxide leakage.
- Clean your gutters. Here is a tip, wait until all the leaves fall or you will be doing this more than once!
- Check your roof. Most roofing contractors will do this for you because they know what to look for: damaged or missing shingles and any cracks around flashing and venting.
- Reverse your ceiling fan. This will help with the air movement and push the warm air down into your room.
- Adjust your thermostat. If you do not have a programmable thermostat, have one installed. Programming for the times during the day you are not home and at night when you sleep will save you money, too.
- Check your windows for air leaks and caulk where needed. Be sure to use silicone caulk.
- Exterior water sources: disconnect hoses from the spigots and have your sprinklers blown out to avoid freezing and leaks. You don’t want your pipes to break if they freeze and expand in the middle of winter.
- Check the seals of your exterior and garage doors. Every little bit of weather stripping helps!
- Make sure your couch blankets are fresh and clean for those weekends watching football and movies!
In other US regions, ask a local and licensed contractor or Realtor® for advice. They will know or know who to refer you to for what is customary in your state.
#winterize #homeimprovement #energyefficient
Laurie B's Blog© 
Leave a Reply