Winterizing your home is extremely important because it allows your home to tackle the unforgiving cold head-on! While you get your cozy blankets and warm sweaters out, a few preventive measures to protect your home from the harsh winters can genuinely do wonders.
With an ‘easy winterizing your home project’, you’ll be able to minimize your energy bills and keep your home cozy and warm all winter long. And who doesn’t love saving some extra cash for holiday shopping?
So, let’s get to work!
- Get Your Heating System Checked
One of the main and most important tips for winterizing your home is to get your heating system checked. Your heating unit will be the one appliance you will be using regularly and it’s important that it’s working properly. Make sure to check the air filters and if they’ve accumulated dirt or dust, take them out, wash them, and leave them out to dry. Once completely dry and clean, put them back in. A clean filter will improve air quality and reduce energy bills by as much as 15%.
- Winterize Your Pipes
Water expands when it freezes, and this can be hazardous for your pipes! If the temperature drops below 32F, your pipes can freeze and burst. Before the extreme cold really sets in, always check for blockages and winterize your pipes. Pipes in areas such as the garage are very vulnerable to freezing during winter. A blocked pipe is more prone to cracking under extreme cold due to pressure build-up.
- Don’t Forget Your Attic
You must insulate your attic if you want to keep your home warm. Unfortunately, an attic is often neglected when discussing home insulation, but in most cases, it is the single most helpful addition you can make to winterize your home. It’s necessary to insulate your attic in winter because hot air rises and all the heat your heating will move the uninsulated attic. Moreover, cold air sinks and to prevent the conduction of cold to the floors below, insulation is required. An uninsulated attic will also pose damage to your roof and can cause ice dams.
- Get Draft Guards
Small leaks and holes in the interior space can add up and result in drafts, introducing cold air into the room. According to the US Department of Energy, the total energy wastage from these air leaks can be around $400 annually. Potential sources of drafts are door hinges, under-door spaces, broken window seals, power outlets, and other wall fittings.
- Weatherproof Your House
Another item to add to the winterize your home checklist is weatherproofing. Weatherproofing is a combination of multiple easy and low-cost steps that keep your home warm and cozy. These include giving your walls and deck a fresh coat of seal paint to prevent the moisture in ice and snow from soaking into the concrete surface and weakening it when freezes. You should also seal and insulate your windows to prevent cold drafts and caulk doors to keep cold out. Replace improperly fitted wall outlets and vents. Air ducts are one of the most significant sources of heat loss, with 20-30% of the air that moves through ducts being lost due to leaks, so ductwork insulation is also necessary.
Winterizing your home is a necessary step to ensure that you have an easy winter and when spring rolls around you’re not running into any problems that could have been avoided.
Lastly, from all of us at The Barach Group, we’re wishing you a wonderful holiday season and a very Happy New Year!
Love,
The Barach Group