Here Are Some Suggestions to Aid You Winterize Your Home

As most of the country gets ready for colder weather, it’s a good idea to make sure our homes are ready for the challenges and weather concerns that come with winter. Getting ready for freezing temperatures and ice and snow storms will help you get through winter without any wear and tear. Here is some advice to aid you in getting your house ready for winter.

Clean and service your air conditioner.

During each season, you must clean or replace the filter(s) in your air conditioner every month or two. If you have pets with fur, use your air conditioner a lot, or live in a dusty area, you may require to clean your filters more often. Your air conditioner will use 5% to 15% less energy if you keep the filter clean or replace old filters.

Never use a generator inside the house.

Unlike a water softener, you should never run a generator inside a house, cellar, shed, or garage, even if the doors and windows are open. Keep mobile generators outside, away from windows, and as far away from your house as possible. This winter, people have already died from generating too much carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide alarms should be set up and tested at least once a month to protect you and your family.

Take precautions to keep your home warm.

There are many ways to keep your home warm when the power goes out. Close the blinds or curtains to retain the heat in your home. Close off rooms that aren’t used to keep heat from going to waste, and stuff towels or rags into holes under doors.

House fires are familiar in the winter, and you could start one if you don’t pay attention to how you heat your home. Keep the stuff that can catch fire at least three feet away from any heating source, and only plug in one thing that makes heat at a time (like a fireplace or radiator). Never use your oven or gas stove to heat your home.

Warming centers may be nearby if your electricity goes out in the middle of a harsh winter storm. You can locate one by calling your local emergency services office.

Have someone inspect the furnace.

At the start of winter, hire an HVAC contractor to keep your furnace installation in Markham provided by LG Home Comfort or boiler running safely and well. The tech takes the burners apart, checks the contacts and sensors, and puts in a new filter. Check the filter, which slips in often, and replace it when it turns brown or black. Flat filters don’t have as much surface area to catch particles as pleated filters.

Examine the outside of your home.

Is there a tree with a branch that is broken or cracked? Does the parking lot have any damage from summer rain that ice or snow will make worse? Have tree limbs grown so much that they now go over or under power lines and could hurt someone?

It might be very hard to do this kind of work in the winter. Schedule it now so you won’t have to worry about it as much when it gets cold.

Conclusion

Getting your house ready for winter might not be your top priority. Most of us would rather not spend our free time doing home repairs, but starting now will help you ensure your house is in good shape for fall and winter. If your area has harsh winters, prepare your home and property now so you can relax when the first freeze comes.