Winterizing Your Home

Look around you.……Fall is officially here.  The leaves are turning such beautiful shades of reds, yellows and oranges.  They’re also falling all around you.   That means it’s time to clean up and prepare your home for the fast approaching winter.  I’ve come up with a few ideas to get a head start on preparing your home for the harsh winter months to come:

I think the most important thing to do is have your furnace checked, and if you have a fireplace or wood stove, include that in your yearly inspection.  You will sleep better at night knowing you are not only keeping your family warm, you’re keeping them safe. Now’s not a bad time to check the batteries on your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors either.   

Where do you think all those falling leaves are going when not in your driveway or yard?  Your gutters of course!  Clogged gutters can cause ice to form and backup onto your roof.  We all know that once it melts, it WILL find a way into your home.   So, clean your gutters, your home will thank you.

If you have them, put up your storm windows.  If you have a storm window for your screen door, swap that out too.   If you don’t have storm windows, a temporary window insulator kit can make a difference in your heating bill.

I also keep hearing that if you reverse the ceiling fan, it will push warm air down, forcing it to recirculate.  Who knew?! 

Last, and EVERYONE’S favorite, put away the lawn mower; make sure it’s properly stored, along with the gas /oil, etc., and get the snow equipment ready to go- including shovels so that your walkways will be ready for all of those holiday guests. 

Your SZW team…