How to Winterize Your Home
Today in Chicago you could throw a boiling pot of water into the air and it would freeze before it even hit the ground. That is why it is so important to make sure your real estate investment is properly winterized. It is ideal to winterize in the fall but the weather today inspired this article.
Tune up the furnace/boiler
Some furnaces were not able to keep up with the extreme cold that we experienced today which is why keeping your furnace tuned is important. Call an HVAC specialist to inspect your furnace and ducts. Keep a set of clean furnace filters and make sure to keep the area around your furnace clear so nothing can catch fire.
Seal interior drafts
You want to check your house for drafts and leaks. You can do this by holding a candle near your windows, door frames, and electrical outlets. If the flame flickers or the smoke moves unexpectedly, you are going to want to do more caulking in those areas. Tacky rope also works as a quick fix.
Turn the ceiling fans on
You read the heading correctly. Turn your ceiling fans on reverse so that the fan will force the hot air downwards and aid in heat distribution. Not many homeowners know that they can reduce their heating bill by using this trick.
Clean your gutters
It is too cold to clean your gutters today but it is a good idea to clean them out when we get a warm day if you didn’t do it in the fall. Sludge can freeze in your gutters and possibly warp and damage them. That is why you want to make sure your drainage system is clear. Ice dams can also cause water to seep under your shingles and into your house creating damage.
If you haven’t taken the steps above then do them as soon as possible. Old man winter is only getting started!
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