Tips on How to Winterize Your Home

It may be hard to believe, but the cold winter months will soon be upon us. The leaves have already started to turn vibrant colors, and some have even fallen from the trees. That is a sure sign of the cold weather to come, and the time to prepare yourself, and your home, is now.

Many homeowners do not winterize their homes until it is too late, and by then it can be hard to make the necessary changes and upgrades. If you do not want to wade through piles of snow to take care of your home this winter, take these winterizing tips to heart and get started now.

Check Your Roof

Now is the time to examine your roof for broken or missing shingles. If you are comfortable on a ladder, you can check your own roof for missing shingles, broken shingles and other problems that could cause a devastating link. If you are not fond of climbing, you can hire a roofing contractor to inspect your home and make sure it is in winter shape.

Drain Your Outdoor Faucets and Disconnect Your Hoses
Now is the time to pull the hoses off your outdoor faucets and put them away for the winter. Leaving your hoses on too long could cause a damaging (and expensive) freeze, so it is better to disconnect too early than too late.

Clean the Gutters

The leaves are already starting to fall, and letting them accumulate in the gutters could cause ice dams and even structural damage to your home. Now is the time to clean out those gutters and inspect your drainage system. Replacing broken pieces of gutter now could save you a world of trouble later.

Schedule a Furnace Inspection

Chances are you have not used your furnace since early spring, so now is the time to make sure your heating system is running properly and operating at peak efficiency. Scheduling a pre-season inspection of your furnace is a critical part of winterizing your home, and you will want to schedule that inspection as soon as possible. Heating engineers will only get busier as the cold winter months draw nearer, and the sooner you schedule your annual inspection the better off you will be.

Seal Your Windows and Doors

You can lose a lot of heat, and just as much money, through leaky windows and doors, so now is the time to check for leaks and seal them up. Grab some clear caulk and a caulking gun and feel around each window for cold air and other signs of leaks. Simply sealing your windows and doors to prevent cold air from leaking out can save you a lot of money.

Invest in a Generator

If you suffered through one too many power outages last year, why not make this the year you invest in a generator? Whether you choose a whole house generator that goes on as soon as the electric grid goes down or buy a less expensive portable model, having a generator on hand can give you extra peace of mind on those cold winter nights.

Winterizing your home does not have to take a lot of time or money, but properly preparing your property for cold weather can save you a lot of both. From lowering your energy bills all season long to preventing disruption to your family routine, the winterizing steps you take now can improve your life, and the lives of your family members, later.

Call Vredevoogd Heating & Cooling for all your plumbing, heating, & cooling needs. In the greater West Michigan, Lakeshore, and surrounding areas call: 844-HVAC-365