Prepare Your Home for Colder Months With These Tips
When the temperatures start to drop, it is a good idea to make sure that you prepare your home for winter. Unfortunately, many homeowners miss these simple tips that can make a difference in heating costs, inside warmth, and home efficiency. So, when Jack Frost comes nipping, be sure you have the following five tips covered.
Cover Your Windows
Windows are a significant source of heat loss in the wintertime. Depending on your climate, you may want a more “permanent” solution, or perhaps a removable option will do. If you need something more consistent, a shrink film or plastic covering will be best. These do a great job of keeping cold air out and sealing the window without requiring a significant amount of time or money. If you only want a solution only for especially cold days, consider thick curtains.
Remove Your Hose
Leaving your hose hooked up during the cold months can cause your faucet to freeze and expand. This can crack your pipes, damage your home’s exterior, and even compromise the foundation. There is a lot to gain and everything to lose by leaving your hose outdoors.
Close Gaps
If you know that there are gaps under doors and around windows, take steps to fill them. In some cases, permanent caulking is best, while in other situations, simple gap covers can help mitigate the issue.
Test Your Detectors
Winterizing isn’t just about keeping the cold out. When you spend more time indoors with doors and windows shut, you are at a higher risk for fires and carbon monoxide poisoning. A simple test of your detectors can save your family from grave danger. Be sure you have enough as well, at least one carbon monoxide detector on every floor and a smoke alarm in all gathering areas and bedrooms.
Protect Your Pipes
Some simple insulation on high-risk pipes can save you a lot of heartache in the future. Even if your area doesn’t freeze over often, insulation can help to keep you safe in case of a rare freeze. In addition, insulation is often inexpensive and can keep your family protected until spring.
Contact McCoy Homes
It’s easy to winterize your home when built to be energy-efficient and work for your lifestyle. Our team takes pride in creating beautiful, customized homes that make the most out of your heating and cooling systems. Whether you want an outdoor or indoor space, our team can make your home into a unique and personalized paradise. Contact us today to begin.
