7 Simple CT Home Winterizing Projects
For most homeowners, winterizing the home feels like a massive chore, but with the right tips, the process can be cheap, easy, and will make the winter go by as smoothly and comfortably as possible. There are several methods to prepare your home for the colder months and they generally fall into one of three categories. Either the preparation involves your ct windows/doors, the HVAC system, or insulation. Once the next polar vortex swings around, you will be happy you completed each of these winterizing projects.
Call an HVAC professional and have them inspect your furnace and air ducts.
Before you turn your heating system on for the first time during the season you want to have it checked out to make sure it is running properly and efficiently. Calling an HVAC professional to maintain your furnace is your best option. All reputable HVAC professionals will preform a safety check for carbon monoxide, clean and replace air filters, inspect your gas piping, and more. While there, you will also want to have your air ducts cleaned and checked for any blockage. Some homes have reported an average of a 50% heated air lose through their heating ducts alone. Checking your air ducts for leaks can save you a lot of money over the winter season.
Don’t forget to check your insulation including your attic.
Adding fiberglass insulation to your attic can boost the energy efficiency in your home. As a general rule of thumb, your attic needs a minimum of 12 inches of insulation. If you need extra layers go ahead and add them, but make sure the new insulation doesn’t have paper backing if you are attaching it to your existing insulation. Providing extra insulation in your attic can also help keep your roof warmer for melting snow and ice build up.
Install a new set of storm doors and replacement windows.
When it comes to ct replacement windows and doors, the best way to keep the cold air out of the home is to install storm windows and doors. Ventilating storm doors often offer an upper level of ventilation while keeping the aluminum or steel design on the bottom. This is useful for when ct homeowners want more privacy, but don’t need a lot of ventilation. Models can feature many options, like having the screen available at the top or bottom of the door. This is a wonderful option for homes in cold climates where the screen can easily be removed in winter and replaced in the spring. It also adds an additional layer of security, making it harder for intruders to gain access as opposed to a full-length screen storm door.
Install new windows
Windows let light and air into your home. Unfortunately, inefficient windows can also bring in the cold, driving up heating costs. In the summer, ‘leaky’ windows can allow cooler air to escape. Replacing your windows with new energy- efficient replacement windows will make your home more comfortable and reduce energy consumption.
Apply caulk to your windows and doors.
There are techniques to winterize your home if you prefer to keep your current windows and doors. Cold air tends to make its way through the windows and doors, making your heating system work much harder. The best way to overcome this issue is to caulk your windows and doors. When you are caulking your windows and doors make sure you always smooth out the lines with a wet finger. This will keep everything even, making it appear as though a professional performed the job.
Reverse rotation of your ceiling fans.
You may have learned this in science class years ago: heat rises. In order to save energy and prevent the hot air from leaving rooms with ceiling fans, reverse the rotation of the fans to push the heat downwards. Ceiling fans should run clockwise in the winter. Most ceiling fans have a switch above the fan and others just use the cord hanging from the ceiling fan itself. As a result, all of the hot air your furnace is generating will be gently pushed back down.
Take a look at your pipes, and wrap them if you need to.
Making sure your pipes are insulated can greatly reduce your heat loss, and can also raise hot water temperatures for your home. This makes lowering the heat on your boiler an option, and that can save you even more money on utility bills. Making your pipes more energy efficient can prevent them from freezing, and can even conserve water. You can pick up pipe insulation from any of your local hardware stores, and if you have any questions about installing it, call a local contractor and ask for help.
