Ready or Not… Winter is Here
The time to start prepping your home for winter is now. We will go over some of the most common and practical things that you can do to prepare.
- Clean your gutters
- Check weather stripping and seal drafty windows
- Reverse ceiling fans to run clockwise
- Have your HVAC system inspected by a licensed contractor
- Caulk windows and other unexpected openings on exterior
Clean your gutters
Gutter cleaning is a good idea even if you don’t live in a heavily wooded area. Over time they may clog with leaves, sticks and even the occasional bird’s nest. This can cause a water leak in your home or an ice dam to form in the winter. You can remove the debris manually or with tools like a leaf blower.
Check weather stripping and seal drafty windows
Weather stripping around your windows and exterior doors is a great way to prevent air leaks and to make your home more energy efficient. These can be found at your local hardware store and are typically inexpensive.
- Pro tip: sealing off windows/doors that are especially drafty is a great way to help your energy efficiency this winter
Reverse ceiling fans to run clockwise
When it’s warmer outside than in, run your ceiling fans in a counter-clockwise fashion to circulate warm air from the top of your home down. If it’s cooler outside than in, reverse them to a clockwise manner so that the cool air gets pulled through and circulating around the room.
If you’re not sure what direction they should be running, check their instruction manuals — they’ll tell you!
Have your HVAC system inspected by a licensed contractor
A reputable, licensed HVAC contractor will check your system health and inspect the following:
- Check the ductwork for leaks.
- Clean or replace your filter(s).
- Check the evaporator coil for dirt and debris buildup.
- Check fan operation: Blower motor, capacitor and/or thermal protector should be inspected at this time to ensure they are working properly and in good condition. If not, these parts will need to be replaced before winter arrives.
- Make sure there is proper air flow through your HVAC system by testing with cool water; if you notice leaks, have them repaired before winter begins!
Caulk windows and other unexpected openings
Any unwanted or unexpected openings in your homes’ exterior can present issues in the future. This may be from broken caulk lines around windows and doors that allow moisture into the trim and shorten its usable lifespan. It could be from the rock that your lawn mower hit and shot into your beautiful siding. Or if could be from nosey wood peckers trying to inspect your wood sided home.
If you or your loved ones need help finding contractors to help winterize your home, please call us at 269.283.0364 and we will point you in the right direction.