Winterize Your Home Checklist, make sure your home is safeguarded against subfreezing temperatures. Our checklist will help you ensure you’re prepared.
- Protect Your Pipes
Depending on the region of the United States you’re in, you’ll need to protect your pipes from bursting this winter. - Time to Weatherproof
Weather-stripping or installing storm doors and windows will prevent cold air from entering your home or heat from escaping it, which will reduce your power bills. - Check Your Fireplace
Animal nests or creosote buildup in your fireplace can be hazardous. Have an annual inspection before building your first fire of the season. Also, soot and other debris build up in the chimney. Call a chimney sweep to thoroughly clean the chimney before your first winter use. You should also vacuum or sweep out any accumulated ash from the firebox. -
Winterize Your Home Checklist and Kintner Block the Cold
Caulk around windows and use foam outlet protectors to prevent cold air from entering your home. However, the majority of heat loss typically occurs via openings in the attic. Check to make sure that you have enough insulation. - Change Your Thermostat
Have you switched out your thermostat to a programmable version? If not, add this one to your list. A programmable thermostat lets you customize your heating so the system doesn’t run when you don’t need it. You can program the thermostat for one temperature when you’re at home and another for when you’re away. - Protect Your Plants – learn more …
You’ll need to bring plants and flowering trees inside before the first cold snap. Typically, you should bring your plants in before temperatures dip below 45 degrees Fahrenheit. - Bring in the Outdoors
Cold temperatures, snow and ice can damage outdoor furniture and grills. If possible, store them in the garage or basement. If you have a gas grill with a propane tank, close the tank valve and disconnect the tank first. It must be stored outside. If you don’t have storage space for your items, purchase covers to protect them from the elements. You also need to maintain your grill and cover it before putting it away for the season. - Maintain Your Outdoor Equipment
Outdoor power tools such as mowers and string trimmers need to be cleaned and maintained prior to storing. If you have a snow blower, it’s time to inspect it before the first snowfall to ensure it’s working properly. This is also a good time to stock up on ice melt. - Save on Your Energy Bills
Call your local power company to see if they conduct energy saving assessments. It’s often a free service where a representative will identify specific changes to make your home more energy efficient and save you money. In addition to the suggestions above, LED light bulbs and water heater blankets can also make a difference. - Make Your Furnace More Efficient
Your furnace will function more efficiently with a clean filter. A dirty filter with trapped lint, pollen, dust, etc., obstructs airflow and makes your furnace run longer to heat your home. Replace filters at least every three months. - Learn More …
Winterize Your Home Checklist and Kintner
Kintner Modular Homes is a modular home builder in Pennsylvania and New York specializing in both custom modular homes and turn key modular houses. We work to provide affordable, quality modular homes to the Poconos, Honesdale, Scranton, Bloomsburg, Hazelton, Stroudsburg, Tunkhannock, Wilkes-Barre and the rest of Northeastern Pennsylvania. Bradford County, Carbon County, Columbia County, Lackawanna County, Luzerne County, Monroe County, Montour County, Northumberland County, Pike County, Schuylkill County, Sullivan County, Susquehanna County, Wayne County and Wyoming County.
Winterize Your Home Checklist Source, https://www.lowes.com/n/how-to/winter-preparedness-checklist
By Valerie A.
Date Updated: July 29, 2020