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Home winterizing is a yearly consideration, and a little attention to detail will help you stay more comfortable and save money on energy costs. Before winter tightens its icy grip, here are five tips on how to keep your home cozy and comfortable:
Have your furnace cleaned and tuned before the heating season sets in. Just like an automobile, a furnace needs regular preventive maintenance to keep it running properly, efficiently, and safely. Keeping the heating equipment that’s located outdoors clean and free of debris, and periodic changing or cleaning of your air filters, are tasks you can do. However, proper servicing of your heating system is best left to a professional.
Seal leaks that are allowing heat transference in and out of your home. Pay special attention to doors, windows, electrical outlets, and locations where pipes enter exterior walls. Sealing these areas to prevent drafts will not only keep you warmer in winter but cooler during the summer months. Air ducts can be a big source of energy loss if not properly fitted and sealed. This is especially true when they are located in unheated areas of your home, such as the attic.
Ductwork should also be cleaned periodically of dust and dirt to ensure the best air quality within your living space. Adding an extra blanket of insulation to your attic will provide immediate benefits to your home’s comfort level in both cold and hot weather. If your insulation isn’t at least 12 inches thick, consider adding more.
For safety’s sake, since most house fires occur during the winter months, make sure your smoke detectors are working properly. Rather than simply pressing the test button, use live smoke to ensure their proper operation. Make sure your fire extinguishers are charged. If they are the dry powder type, invert and shake them to loosen the powder.
Make sure you have a carbon monoxide detector as well.
For the best advice on home winterizing and top-quality service on heating and A/C systems, contact us at Pipe Works Services, one of New Jersey’s premier HVAC service providers. Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about winter preparations and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide. Pipe Works Services serves Chatham, NJ, and the surrounding areas.
