Unfortunately, many of the coldest winter days are still ahead. February and March bring some of the heaviest snow and the coldest temperatures, particularly for those of us living in harsh climates. If you haven’t taken steps to winterize your home, it is not too late to start.
Winterizing your home prevents damage and reduces your risk of costly repairs. It helps lower energy costs and eliminates safety hazards. Make the freezing days ahead as painless as possible by crossing these last-minute tasks off your to-do list.
- Inspect Your Furnace
The last thing you want to deal with in the middle of winter is a faulty furnace. Change your filter and stock up on a few extras for the months ahead. If you can afford it, hire a furnace repair service to clean and inspect your furnace and duct work.Furnaces can also pose a fire hazard in the winter months. Keep the area around your furnace free from clutter and debris – particularly anything that is flammable. - Protect Your Pipes
Frozen pipes can be a nightmare. Frozen water can rapidly expand, causing pipes to burst and resulting in serious water damage to your home. Most pipes are safe, as long as your heat is working and the pipes are located inside of the home’s insulation. But make sure any pipes that are exposed to the elements are insulated with electric heat tape or foam insulation. You can hire a professional or take this on as a do-it-yourself project. - Add Some Insulation
The right amount of insulation is extremely important in cold climates. But over time, the insulation in your walls can break down and shift, leaving gaps that cause heat loss and reduce energy efficiency. A professional can fill in these gaps without tearing down walls by injected a special insulating foam between walls and above ceilings.If you live in a particularly cold climate, you might also want to consider adding extra insulation to the attic, which will prevent warm air from reaching your attic and creating ice dams that can damage your roof. This can be a do-it-yourself project, as long as you pay careful attention to the guidelines and instructions. Energy Star offers a helpful guide that walks homeowners through the process. - Check Your Chimney
If your chimney hasn’t been cleaned for a while, it might be time to call in a professional to remove the soot. Excess chimney soot can be a dangerous fire hazard. At the very least, a chimney sweep can inspect the chimney to make sure it is in proper working condition. - Seal Your Windows and Doors
Improperly sealed windows and doors are the biggest source of heat loss in most homes. If your windows are old or cracked, it is well worth the investment to hire a professional to apply new caulking and fix the cracks. Your energy savings will be substantial. You can also opt to have winterizing shields installed over the surface of the windows to keep cold air out and warm air in.With doors, heat loss is usually due to gaps between the frame and the door. You can have the gaps sealed with foam padding to prevent heat loss or you can invest in a new door frame. - Buy a Carbon Monoxide Detector
Deadly carbon monoxide can be emitted from appliances that are used frequently in the winter, such as furnaces or hot water heaters. The greatest risk comes from gas, oil and coal appliances that are improperly vented. And because carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas, it’s impossible to detect.To protect yourself, install a carbon monoxide detector near your furnace or water heater. Test it once a month to make sure it is working and change the batteries twice per year.
Karen Lawes is owner of WinterisHere.com, a site dedicated to helping with winter home improvement projects including roof snow removal and furnace repair.
