When you live in a 4-season place like Dublin, Ohio, you have to prepare your home for every season. While each season has their challenges, Winter might be the biggest challenge. Here are some tips to help you Winterize your home.
1. Drafty Doors and Windows. Cold air can sneak in through the smallest crack in your door or window. Add weather-stripping to the doors if you do not have any. This will help keep the draft out. You can also purchase draft stoppers. Along with that, caulking your windows is a big help as well.
2. Flip your Ceiling Fan Blades. Did you know your fans have a switch that will turn the blade the opposite direction. Summer and winter mode I call them. Switching your blades to run clockwise will push the warmer air down to the ground and save your money on your heating bill!
3. Program your Thermostat. If you are at work all day and your furnace is running at normal temps, you're wasting money. If you can program your thermostat to lower temps during the day and have it go back up when you get home, it will save you a lot of money. I you don't have a programmable thermostat, if you remember, you can adjust before you go to work and when you get home.
4. Clean your gutters. Leaving leaves and debris in your gutters over the winter can cause a lot of damage. Clean them out so they can drain without any problems.
5. Winterize your AC. You might think you are done with your AC since the colder weather is setting in. Well you are, but you still want it to work next year. Be sure to vacuum any water that is in the drain pan. I also cover my unit with a tarp to keep snow and debris out during the winter.
6. Change your Furnace Filters. Be sure to replace or clean your furnace filters. Dirty filters restrict airflow and increase energy demand.
7. Change batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detector. It is best to do this twice a year - I shoot for winter and summer.
I hope these winterizing tips help. It is important to remember to do these things to prepare for winter. It will help keep you warm during these cold months and save you money.
1. Drafty Doors and Windows. Cold air can sneak in through the smallest crack in your door or window. Add weather-stripping to the doors if you do not have any. This will help keep the draft out. You can also purchase draft stoppers. Along with that, caulking your windows is a big help as well.
2. Flip your Ceiling Fan Blades. Did you know your fans have a switch that will turn the blade the opposite direction. Summer and winter mode I call them. Switching your blades to run clockwise will push the warmer air down to the ground and save your money on your heating bill!
3. Program your Thermostat. If you are at work all day and your furnace is running at normal temps, you're wasting money. If you can program your thermostat to lower temps during the day and have it go back up when you get home, it will save you a lot of money. I you don't have a programmable thermostat, if you remember, you can adjust before you go to work and when you get home.
4. Clean your gutters. Leaving leaves and debris in your gutters over the winter can cause a lot of damage. Clean them out so they can drain without any problems.
5. Winterize your AC. You might think you are done with your AC since the colder weather is setting in. Well you are, but you still want it to work next year. Be sure to vacuum any water that is in the drain pan. I also cover my unit with a tarp to keep snow and debris out during the winter.
6. Change your Furnace Filters. Be sure to replace or clean your furnace filters. Dirty filters restrict airflow and increase energy demand.
7. Change batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detector. It is best to do this twice a year - I shoot for winter and summer.
I hope these winterizing tips help. It is important to remember to do these things to prepare for winter. It will help keep you warm during these cold months and save you money.