Fall is here. Are you and your home ready for winter? Every year about this time we get a call from homeowners who forgot to winterize their home. Whether you are on the market or not, these items are good to check over. Not only could you prevent costly problems but you could save money on your utility bills.
1. Clean your gutters. Make sure all the leaves and vines are taken out. Backed up gutters can freeze in low temperatures and cause ice damning.
2. If you use rain barrels, make sure those are empty and turned over so that don't fill up again. They can explode and crack if they're were full of water it freezes.
3. Turn off all exterior water lines. Make sure you open them up and drain out an remaining water. Talk to your local hardware store about freeze proof hose bibs.
4. Do you have removable storm windows? Make sure those are on before it gets cold. Cold hands aren't as cooperative when doing exterior work like this. Get it done before the cold comes.
5. Turn off your air conditioning, there is usually a power breaker next to it outside. Turn off shut off valve. Or if you don't have central air, remove your window air conditioners.
6.Tune up your furnace and install a new filter. Lower your thermostat. For every degree you lower your thermostat you can save 1-3% off your monthly bill. If your home is vacant set at a minimum of 60 if you are on the market and showing. For homes heated with radiant heat, please follow manufacturer guidelines on minimum temperature so yours pipes and radiators don't burst.
7. If your home is vacant make sure you turn off the water, water heater and drain. Winterize pipes by draining pipes including toilets. If your furnace goes off or it gets extremely cold, these items will burst and cost you thousands. Some weatherization companies also pour anti freeze in drains and in toilet. I can't recommend you do that but check with you local ordinances regarding acceptable weatherization techniques.
8. If you have ceiling fans. Switch the direction your fan blades move. Clockwise makes it warmer.
9. Lastly, any improvement you do to your home like insulation, new windows and doors or caulking and weatherstripping will help. If home improvements are not in your budget this fall. There are many inexpensive fixes you can do. Like plastic on the windows, temporary weatherstrip at window sill and draft snakes at your exterior doors to keep drafts from coming in.