Preparing Your Home For Winter

Answers From The Experts

I know, it's a bit early to start thinking about winter, but if you contact a heating contractor now, you'll get better attention and a faster response.

First, check your insulation. Warm air rises and if you don't have great insulation, it could keep going straight up and through your roof. Most U.S. homes should have insulation with an R value above 22. The higher the value, the greater the thickness. Head up into your attic, with a ruler, and check to make sure your insulation rises up at least 7 inches.

Next, seal up your house. Inside, check for cracks around windows, gaps between your wall and flooring, and near your electrical outlets. Use caulk and caulk gun (or a Handyman) to seal minor gaps. Check the weatherstriping around all doors and windows. Outside, also check around your windows for leaks (have someone hold a light up to expose smaller gaps.) Check electrical outlets and loose faucets for gaps. Use expanding foam or caulk to fill them in.

This would be a great time to have your air ducts cleaned. Sure, your regularly replace your house air filter (right?) But your ducts also have a build-up of all that crap that you see stuck to your dirty filters every month. A good air duct cleaning will increase flow and efficiency of your duct system.

Make sure you have a professional inspect your heating (or cooling) unit before each new winter or summer season starts to make sure the system is in working order (fans lubricated, belts inspected, etc.) It can seem expensive, but an emergency call when it's Christmas morning and 10 below outside always, always costs more...)

Another cost saving tip: insulate your water heater and pipes. When it's cold outside, your water heater may need to work harder to get water hot and keep it hot. They have kits you can use to wrap insulating blankets around your water heater and insulation wraps for your water pipes. It prevents heat loss and helps the efficiency. However, make sure you follow any instructions provided with the kits -- you do NOT want to cover up anything close to flames or any air vents.

Timothy K. Clark is the Director of Marketing for ConstructionDeal.com, a valuable website that matches Contractors with Property Owners for residential and commercial improvement, remodeling and repair projects. For more information, visit http://www.constructiondeal.com or call 866-663-4711