Fall is officially here, and even if it still feels like summer in your neck of the woods, it’s time to call in our professionals from Service Plus Heating & Cooling to help get your home ready for the harsh reality of winter. A properly winterized home will protect your investment and help lower your utility bills. Plan on getting your home ready now to survive the winter and avoid potentially costly disasters. Here are some tips to prep your home for colder weather.
1. Schedule a Heating System Tune-Up
Remember your furnace? It’s been a while, but you’ll need to switch it on again soon. Now is the time to give your heating system some TLC. Sediment builds up over the summer, and a good cleaning and inspection will make it work more efficiently and reduce the risk of a fire hazard. One of our experienced technicians will inspect your heat pump or furnace and make sure it’s clean and ready to perform efficiently this winter. After that, all you need to do is change your filter regularly throughout the cold season. You’ll stay nice and cozy while saving energy and money.
2. Leave No Gaps Unsealed
If you have any gaps in your home, warm air will escape through them and cause your heating system to work harder. That will cost you money. Use a lit candle to check carefully for gaps around windows and door frames. Air coming in will cause the candle to flicker. Correcting this is something you as a homeowner can do by sealing cracks and openings around door frames with caulk and using weather stripping on windows. Caulk should be replaced every five to 10 years.
3. Just Say No to Ice Dams
Ice dams on the edge of your roof can cause melted water to back up and flow into your home, potentially causing a lot of damage to walls, ceilings, and insulation. Now is an excellent time to call for the services of a weatherization contractor or home energy auditor. They can detect and fix any air leaks. A professional can pump up the insulation in your attic to help prevent those ice dams. The good news is that if you have the work done by December 31, 2023, you’ll get to claim the energy-efficiency tax credit for 30% of what you paid, excluding installation.
4. Avoid Clogged Gutters
While you were frolicking this summer, leaves, dirt, and other debris built up in your gutters. Clogged gutters can prevent your drainage system from functioning properly. Water can seep in and cause leaks and all the other damage that ice dams do. You’ll avoid costly repairs if you clean your gutters every spring and fall. If you have pine trees on your property, you’ll need to do this about every three months to keep pine needles from clogging gutters and downspouts. Rodents and pests also love to make their homes in dirty gutters, so keep them clear.
5. Prevent Pipe Bursts
Winterizing your outdoor faucets and other water sources such as lawn irrigation systems will help you avoid the nightmare of flooding and water damage. Water left in pipes can freeze and cause them to burst as the ice expands. Disconnect all garden hoses, remove any splitters attached to faucets, shut off the valve to your outdoor faucets, and drain any remaining water. Since we live in a cold climate, you can get a plumber to install freezeproof faucets. If you have a lawn irrigation system, it will also need to be drained. A professional can perform this service with a sprinkler system blow-out.
6. Call the Roof Inspector
A roof inspection is an important part of preventative maintenance. Damaged, loose, or missing shingles will result in leaks from winter rains and melting snow. A roofer can do the inspection for you safely. They will also check for cracked and worn rubber on your pipe vents and chimney, check underneath moss and lichen for decay, and replace any damaged or missing shingles.
Winterizing Your Home With Service Plus Heating & Cooling
Don’t let a harsh winter damage your home. Our professionals at Service Plus Heating & Cooling can service your heating system and perform other tasks to winterize your residence in Aurora, IL. We offer AC and heating repairs, installations, and maintenance as well as indoor air quality and ductwork services. Contact us today to learn more.