Schedule a professional HVAC inspection and tune-up before winter kicks in. A well-maintained furnace ensures your family stays warm throughout the cold months and prevents mid-winter breakdowns that can be expensive and uncomfortable.
Remove all leaves, debris, and dirt from gutters to prevent ice dams and water damage. Clogged gutters force meltwater toward your foundation, which can lead to costly basement leaks and structural damage.
Check for drafts and cracks, then apply weatherstripping or caulk as needed. Air leaks around windows and doors can increase heating bills by hundreds of dollars each winter and make rooms uncomfortable.
Drain all outdoor hoses and disconnect them before freezing temperatures arrive. Leaving water in hoses can cause them to freeze and crack, and water can back up into your home's internal plumbing system.
Turn off water valves to outdoor spigots and install insulated covers on hose bibs. This prevents water from freezing inside pipes and causing bursts that result in expensive water damage.
Have your irrigation system professionally drained and winterized. Water left in sprinkler lines will freeze and cause cracks in pipes and damage to your system's equipment.
Wrap vulnerable pipes in foam insulation, especially those in crawlspaces, attics, unheated garages, or along exterior walls. This simple and inexpensive fix prevents frozen and burst pipes that can damage your home.
Have a professional chimney sweep inspect and clean your fireplace, chimney, vents, and gas lines. Creosote buildup in chimneys is a fire hazard, and blockages can cause dangerous carbon monoxide to back up into your home.
Replace furnace air filters with fresh ones (every 3 months is standard). Clean filters improve air quality, reduce allergens, and help your heating system run efficiently.
Replace batteries and test all detectors throughout your home. These devices provide critical early warning of fire and dangerous carbon monoxide, potentially saving your family's lives.
Drain sediment from your water heater to improve efficiency and extend its lifespan. Buildup inside your tank reduces heating capacity and can lead to premature failure.
Switch your ceiling fans to winter mode (clockwise) to push warm air down from the ceiling. This helps circulate heat throughout rooms and reduces the workload on your heating system.
Test your snow blower, sharpen shovels, repair broken handles, and stock up on salt or ice melt. Having functional equipment ready prevents delays when snow arrives and ensures safe walkways.
Inspect insulation coverage in these areas and add more if needed. Adequate insulation prevents heat loss, reduces heating bills, and helps prevent ice dams from forming on your roof.
Clean and store patio furniture, potted plants, and garden equipment in a dry location. Protecting these items prevents weather damage and extends their lifespan for many seasons to come
