Preparing Your Home for Winter
With winter fast approaching, it’s time to prepare your home for the colder weather. Forecasters expect a strong El Niño this year, as it happens every three to seven years and can last from a few months to a couple of years! You may wonder what El Niño is and what it means for the United States. Besides being Spanish for “little boy,” El Niño is a natural climate phase that affects the weather patterns across the globe. Trade winds become weak while warm water pushes back toward the west coast of the Americas. Initially, it was named El Niño de Navidad because its peak is usually around December.
You may also wonder, “What does this mean for us in the U.S.?” El Niño can affect the weather significantly and conditions in some areas can be worse than others. Upper U.S. and Canada are dryer and warmer, while the U.S. Gulf Coast and Southeast are usually wetter and experience more flooding. If the temperatures drop low enough, the southeastern region may experience more snowfall than just the occasional flurry.
Snow can be fun with activities like watching snowflakes fall, building snowmen and making snow angels. However, if you live in an area where snow is uncommon, you should prepare for the potential downsides that come with it, such as your heat system going out.
What if my heat system goes out in the winter?
You don’t know how long the heat will be out, so the safest thing to do is to stock up on essentials. Here’s a list of things to gather:
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Non-perishable food
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Bottled water
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Batteries
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Blankets
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Sleeping bags
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Warm clothing
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Space heater
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Firewood
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Matches
Now is the time to get your house ready, too! Preparing your home for winter will not only keep you extra cozy, but it will also help keep your home maintained as well. With El Niño possibly bringing more snow and ice, follow these nine steps to prep your home for this winter season.
9 Tips to Prepare Your Home
1. Clean out your gutters
The changing seasons are a great time to complete this task. First, trim trees and cut dead branches away from your house to prevent falling limbs from damaging your home. Remove any sticks and leaves in your gutters and ensure the downspout points away from your home’s foundation for the melted snow and rain to drain smoothly.
2. Seal your windows and doors
Feeling a draft? Cold air can creep into your house through small cracks and openings, prompting you to add more layers and turn up the thermostat. Check for any drafty doors or windows and seal them with weather-stripping products, caulk or pressurized expanding foam. Doing so will keep your home warm and probably help save you some money on your heating bill.
3. Reverse your ceiling fans
You’re probably used to using your ceiling fans on warm days to cool you down. Did you know you can even put those fans to good use in the cold months? As every middle school science teacher will tell you, warm air rises. So, reversing your ceiling fan will help push that warm air downward into your room and likely cut down on your energy bill.
Check your fan’s manual (or give it a Google®) to figure out how to reverse the direction of your fan’s blades. Just make sure the fan is OFF before you attempt the switch.
4. Sweep the chimney
Before burning your first pile of wood, clean your chimney and vents. A cluttered chimney is a fire hazard. Not only will a clean chimney create a nice entrance for Santa on Christmas Eve, but it can also prevent carbon monoxide from entering your home.
5. Prepare the pipes
Winterize your plumbing pipes and drain any outdoor faucets and garden hoses to prevent freezing. To plan ahead in case a pipe bursts, make sure everyone in the house knows where and how to turn off the water supply to the house.
In extreme cold temperatures, allow your faucets to drip and consider leaving your cabinets open overnight to help prevent burst pipes. Pay attention to local weather alerts for when the temperature will drop low enough that your pipes risk freezing. Consider enabling weather alerts on your smart devices like Google Home and Amazon® Alexa. The last thing you want to do in cold temperatures is replace burst pipes.
6. Bring the heat
You don’t want to realize there’s an issue with your heat on the first cold night of the year. Before the cold season starts, have a licensed contractor clean and inspect it. Also, replacing the filters in your furnace is recommended monthly during the winter.
7. Check your smoke detectors
Test your smoke detectors at least once a season. The start of winter is a perfect time to ensure they’re properly working. Clean off any dust and consider changing the batteries — or maybe switch to the newer detectors with a 10-year lithium battery.
8. Keep the attic critter-free
Your attic is the perfect winter retreat for squirrels, birds, possums and other critters. They can make a mess, damage your home from within, and even create health issues for your family. Ensure all gable vents are secure, inspect your roof area and block any openings for animals to enter.
9. Play it cool(er)
Lowering the temperature on your hot water heater to 120 degrees can help save on your heating bill. Plus, there will be plenty of hot water for showers, laundry and the dishwasher.
While these steps can make a big difference this season, winter-related damages can still catch you by surprise. Give yourself that extra peace of mind during El Niño with home insurance from Alfa®. Call your local agent today.