4 Home Winter Preparation Tips
Winter can be harsh on your home in many ways. Frigid temperatures affect the interior and exterior, snow and sleet storms create wear and tear, and closing up our houses tight can cause other issues that can affect your family’s health and well-being. You can do some things to help ease the pain caused by the colder seasons. Small efforts in winter preparation can save your pocketbook and your health and ward off disasters.
Window and Door Preparation – If we could see air with the naked eye and watch it continually seep through our windows and doors, we might realize all the money and energy wasted. Removing screens and replacing them with storm windows and doors will reduce the amount of heat that slips through the cracks. Sealing edges inside and out with caulk is an additional step that keeps hot and cold air in.
HVAC Maintenance—Your furnace has been resting all summer long. As temperatures plummet, it fires up and is expected to run smoothly all through winter; as with any machine containing multiple moving parts, your HVAC system requires maintenance. Scheduling an annual tune-up keeps things running well all season, can increase efficiency, and can reduce energy bills. Avoiding a freezing morning is also an added benefit.
Carbon Monoxide Detection—Many people have heard about the dangers of CO poisoning, but how many take the necessary steps to stay safe? This hazardous gas is odorless and can be fatal even in small doses. When you schedule your HVAC maintenance appointment, ask your technician to check for leaks. Adding a CO monitor to your home on every level is an easy way to protect your family year-round.
Interior Pipe Protection – A simple way to protect your home from an unpleasant situation is to take a little time prepping your pipes. Disconnecting exterior hoses from outdoor spigots is so essential. These hoses can have residual water that can freeze in cold weather, which can expand interior pipes. Once this water thaws, those pipes can burst, wreaking havoc on your home. Shut off exterior faucets, wrap them for added warmth, and drain outdoor pipes, valves, and sprinkler heads for protection. Upgrading to frost-proof spigots can also give you peace of mind. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
A small time and expense commitment can go a long way toward maintaining your home and family’s comfort throughout winter. If you are looking for an honest and reliable HVAC company for maintenance, emergency service, or CO monitoring, Bill’s Heating and Air Conditioning is ready to help.
It is standard procedure for their technicians to check for CO leaks during HVAC maintenance or repair calls. The CO detectors they provide are much more sensitive than the ones you can purchase off the shelf at big-box home stores. Call (402) 477-1371 today for quick service. They are eager to partner with you in Lincoln to keep you warm and safe all year.
