10 Tips for Winterizing Your Home

Winter is in full swing. You can tell by the leafless trees, early sunsets, and layer of frost in the morning. If you haven’t winterized your home yet, you still have time. Run through these winterization tips to keep your home safe, efficient and warm during winter. 

1. Plan for Maintenance for Your Heating System 

Your furnace has been inactive all summer. To prepare it for another heating season, schedule a visit from a qualified technician to inspect, clean and tune up the equipment. The most affordable way to keep your heating system in tip-top shape through the years is to subscribe to a Maintenance+ membership. 

2. Have Your Fireplace Inspected 

Hire a professional to inspect and clean your wood-burning stove or fireplace annually. This service removes ash, soot and creosote buildup, which can trigger chimney fires. It also gives you peace of mind that the masonry, chimney liner, crown, and other fireplace components are in excellent condition. 

3. Seal Air Leaks 

As you prepare to run your furnace in cold weather, try to find and seal air leaks that will allow cold outdoor air to get inside. The quickest way to notice leaks is to hold a lit candle or incense stick near areas that might be leaky, like near windows and doors, recessed light fixtures, plumbing penetrations and electrical outlets. Then, seal the leaks you find with weatherstripping, caulk, foam gaskets and expanding spray foam. 

4. Keep Ceiling Fans in Reverse 

Ceiling fans keep you cool during the summer, but they can also distribute warm air down to the living space over the winter. For better results, set your fans on low and run them in reverse. This strategy is ideal for stairwells and rooms with tall ceilings. 

5. Install Insulating Drapes 

A different way to winterize your home is to exchange light, summery window coverings for heavy, insulating drapes. Remember to pull back the drapes during the day so the sun can warm your home for free. Then, close the curtains after dark for increased insulation against the brisk night air. 

6. Insulate Your Pipes 

As the temperature falls, exposed pipes are in danger of freezing and bursting. Add foam pipe insulation to plumbing in the garage, crawlspace or unfinished basement to keep this from happening. Electric heat tape under the insulation gives you an extra layer of protection in very frigid climates. 

7. Install Smoke Alarms & Carbon Monoxide Detectors 

Sealing up your house, baking more and heating with combustion appliances raises the risk of home fires and carbon monoxide poisoning during the winter. Be careful with matches, candles and other open flames, and make sure your smoke alarms are functioning. Then, install CO detectors on every floor of your home, primarily close to sleeping areas. Test your alarms monthly and replace the batteries every six months. 

8. Upgrade to a Programmable Thermostat 

Do you still have an old analog thermostat? You could save on heating bills this winter by upgrading to a programmable model. Pre-programmed settings fine-tune the temperature at different times of the day, so you can set it and forget it. A Wi-Fi thermostat is a high-tech option that lets you adjust the settings remotely with an internet-enabled device. You also benefit from automatically generated energy reports and maintenance advice. 

9. Prevent Ice Dams 

Ice dams are ridges of ice that appear along the eaves, preventing melted snow from melting off the roof. Left unaddressed, ice dams can allow water to get under the shingles and damage things in the attic. Try these tips to deter ice dams this winter: 

• Clean the gutters so water can drain like it’s supposed to. 
• Ventilate the attic to avoid heat buildup that can melt snow from beneath. 
• Seal attic floor penetrations to stop heated air from rising through the ceiling. 

• Insulate the attic floor to further restrict heat transfer through the ceiling. 
• Seal and insulate ductwork inside the attic. 
• Make sure your kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans and the dryer vent lead outside the house, not into the attic. 

10. Keep Deicer on Hand 

Slips and falls are notably common in cold winter weather. Keep your sidewalks and driveway safe for pedestrians by sprinkling salt, kitty litter or chemical deicer across the pavement to melt the ice and snow. Don’t forget to read the directions for specific application tips and suggested precautions. 

Winterizing Your Home with Bryant Heating & Cooling Service Experts 

Many winterization tips relate directly to your home heating, cooling,and plumbing systems. If you need help winterizing your home, contact Bryant Heating & Cooling Service Experts. We offer excellent furnace maintenance and repair, plumbing support, and other services to prepare you for cold weather. For more information about our services or to {request|schedule|arrange]] an estimate, please contact your local Bryant Heating & Cooling Service Experts office today.