Use these tips to transform your home from the warmer months to the winter.
Stay Warm! Tips on How to Properly Winterize Your Home
Winter is close at hand, so this is the perfect time to keep drafts and cold air outside and the warm, toasty air in — and safeguard your home and family for the cold weather ahead!
Here’s how to winterize your home, from the inside and the outside!
Winter is near, so this is the perfect time to keep drafts and cold air outside!
Winterize the Inside
■ Attic insulation: This is like a nice jacket for your house — it keeps the cooler air at bay and the warmer air in. The effectiveness of insulation is measured in R-value, the higher the better. Depending on your location, it’s usually R-13 to R-23 for exterior walls, while R-30, R-38 and R-49 are common for attic and ceiling spaces.
■ Seal air gaps: Check all windows and doors for small gaps or cracks — if sunlight peeks through, so can cold air. Weatherstrips and sealant are your best bets here.
■ Dryer vents: This is one easily overlooked area and should be inspected and cleaned as part of the winterization process. Clogged vents affect airflow, and the vents and air intakes should be checked for air flow and unwanted critters.
Check all windows and doors for small gaps or cracks.
■ Smoke detectors: You should check them twice a year, with winter the perfect time for one of them.
■ Air filters: Replace your HVAC and central air filters so that air flow is not obstructed by lint or dust build-up.
■ Pipe insulation: Make sure your water pipes are insulated so they don’t freeze, build pressure and burst. Check your home’s insulation and seal air gaps.
You should check your smoke detectors twice a year, with winter the perfect time for one of them.
■ Rugs: Carpeting and rugs not only are aesthetically pleasing, but they also serve as an extra layer of insulation for the room and feel much better to the tootsies than a cold bare floor.
■ Curtains: You may enjoy bare windows, but installing curtains or drapes during the winter allows you to have them open to let the warm sunshine in during the day and close them at night to keep in the warmth.
Curtains during the winter allows you to have them open to let the warm sunshine in.
Winterize From the Outside
■ Gutters: Even if they have guards, you need to ensure your gutters are free of debris that can clog them and let water leak inside.
■ External water: Check and winterize irrigation systems or drain and disconnect them to prevent freezing and damage.
Get your roof inspected to eliminate problems before they become costly disasters.
■ Window AC units: If you don’t use them until spring or summer, remove them for the winter as they are a prime source of drafts and air leaks.
■ Roof: Get your roof inspected to eliminate problems before they become costly disasters.
