A little fall prep goes a long way to keep homes running smoothly all winter long

  • Jennifer Kneuss
  • August 23, 2010
  • 265
                        
It may be tempting to avoid being indoors as long as possible as winter approaches, enjoying long walks on cool, crisp evenings and hikes through the gorgeous beauty of autumn leaves. However, taking time out to follow a few home maintenance tips can go a long way to preventing problems ahead. 1.) Furnaces, long dormant since the chilly nights of last spring, really do demand attention this time of year. A sudden cold snap will leave unprepared homeowners desperately wishing they had done a little preventative maintenance. Ohio winter’s can come on fast and furious, and nothing is worse than competing for the attention of a furnace repair technician on the first cold night of winter. Install a new furnace filter, and also purchase a few extra to keep on hand for needed changes. Schedule a tune up now. While you are at it, vacuum out all ductwork to remove accumulated dust and allergens. Duct cleaning services are available for more extensive cleaning needs. 2.) Any wood burning heating units need to be thoroughly examined, too. Clean out all flues, or hire a professional to do it for you. Chimneys should be periodically inspected to insure that they are safe. A chimney guard should be installed at the top of all chimneys to keep out birds looking for a warm place to land. Debris from bird nests can block chimneys, and force dangerous carbon monoxide to re-enter the home. There are still chimney sweeps and other experts around who can assist you if needed. 3.) Air conditioning units can be covered to protect them from damaging ice and snow. Remove window units, and while you are at it, go ahead and clean or replace filters so that trapped dirt isn’t stored inside all winter. 4.) Washing machines and dryers can benefit from a fall check-up, too. Check hoses for bulges indicating weak spots, or splits. Some experts recommend bi-annual replacement. Clean out the dryer vents thoroughly, making sure any exterior flaps can close safely. Debris, lint, and even birds’ nests in exhaust hoses can cause a severe fire hazard. 5.) Check existing caulking around windows and doors for any weak spots. Re-caulk if necessary. Weather stripping and door sweeps can also be added. These not only help keep out cold air, but can help to discourage pests like spiders and mice from slinking into your home to enjoy its warmth. 6.) Install a hot water heater blanket around your unit, if you have not already done so. Better yet, consider placing point of use heaters in your bath and kitchen, so water is quickly heated only as it is needed. 7.) Beware of pipes that may be exposed to extreme temperature changes. Pipes under a crawl space are particularly vulnerable. A real headache occurs when these freeze and explode in the depths of winter. Wrap pipes with insulating materials for prevention of problems. 8.) Insulation can be a real money saver, particularly on older homes. If high winter heating bills are an issue, contact a professional insulation installer to look over your particular situation. Don’t neglect to close any attic windows that you might have had open for summer ventilation, either. Doing so for even a few extra weeks is a waste of heat resources and can really up your heating costs. 9.) Consider installing ceiling fans in different rooms of the home. Adjust these so that blades direct heat downward into the home’s living spaces. Heat automatically rises, and much of it can be trapped near the ceiling while residents below feel a definite chill around their legs and feet. Heat is circulated more wisely, so the thermostat will not have to be turned up so high. 10.) Finally, consider having a home energy audit conducted. An educated professional can assist you in discovering exactly where your home is leaking valuable heat. A common source of heat loss is poorly insulated windows, so also check out the feasibility of replacing older units with energy efficient ones. Some windows come with special coatings that reflect heat in summer and draw it inside in the colder months. There are also significant energy rebates available from the federal government for windows that meet specific standards. Talk to a window replacement specialist about your options before you buy, however, and make sure the windows you purchase not only fit your need, but are also eligible for the energy rebate savings.


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