Take A Week To Winterize Your Home
Looks like we’re in a real cold one next weekend. So we thought it would be a good idea to give everyone a few quick and cost-effective ways to prepare for it. They are a good way to keep the cold out, the heat in, and your energy bill down.
Clean Your Gutters
You’ve heard it before, but we can’t stress it enough. Making sure that water can flow freely through your gutters now will help prevent icicles and ice dams from forming later. And the best part, it doesn’t cost you anything but a little bit of sweat and your time.
Flush Your Water Heater
This is another one that won’t cost you anything if you do it yourself. Particles and sediment can collect over time in the bottom of your water heater, hurting the unit’s efficiency. Flush the water through the drain valve to clear out the material and keep your heater functioning at its best.
Flip That Ceiling Fan Switch
Ceiling fans are everyone’s favorite summer budget-saver. But they can help out in the winter as well. Have your ceiling fans move in a clockwise direction so they push hot air along the ceiling towards the floor. If they’re going counterclockwise, they won’t be as effective. Once again, it won’t cost you a penny!
Install Window Insulation Film
It may not be the most fashionable tip, but window insulation film can keep up to 70% of heat from leaking out of the windows. You won’t mind the appearance when you’re toasty warm in your house. This one will run you around $5 to $15 per kit. Just make sure to measure your windows before you head to the hardware store.
Draft Guards
If your rooms are still drafty after installing the window film then it’s time to look to the bottoms of your doors. Place draft guards by the doors to prevent heat loss. It’s a simple solution that keeps your house warm and saves you from wasting energy. This will run you $10 to $20 or totally free if you don’t mind using some rolled up towels.
Replace Your Filters
Regularly changing the filters in your central air and heating system can significantly improve its efficiency and longevity, and ease the pressure on your wallet. A pack of filters will run you $20 to $40. Remember to double check the size of your filters before running out to pick up the new ones.
Weather Stripping Tape
If you’re on a roll and want to really tackle those drafts and air leaks make sure your windows and doors are sealed tight with weatherstripping. Simple, easy, and smart. You’re looking at $5 to $10 per roll for this one.
Check The Fireplace
Stick your hand in your fireplace, as long as there’s no fire going, and check for a draft. If the flu is closed and you feel cold air, you damper might be warped or broken. Which means your chimney is a huge source of heat loss. If not in active use, plug it up with a chimney balloon when winterizing your home to keep drafts out and heat in. Depending on the size of the balloon, you’re looking at $25 to $60.
There you have it, a few cost-effective ways to make sure you’re keeping the winter out and not inviting in this season. And you thought DYMI Construction was all about roofs! We care about everything underneath it too. If you do have any roof questions, just give us a call or drop us a line.
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[…] we put up some tips on winterizing your home this winter and we got a great response. We also had some homeowners who wanted us to add to our […]