How to Prepare Your Home for the Winter

Most people think that preparing for winter only involves shopping for warm winter-wear, but the truth is that you need to do more, like preparing your home for the winter. Some of you may think this is superfluous, but failing to prep your home could lead to burst pipes or unnecessarily high electric bills. The following is a simple guide that will help you get your home ready for the winter.

Pay Attention to the Pipes

Winter damage can cost a hefty amount of money, and you know that you’d rather keep that money instead of spending it on repairs. One of the systems you need to pay attention to is the plumbing system. The is important because water expands when it freezes, which means that plumbing pipes could definitely crack or burst this winter without the proper precautions.

Winterizing your plumbing system takes some effort; for one, you are going to have to talk to a home inspector to see if you need to insulate your home to keep it warmer. You should also make sure you have the inspector look for cracks or holes that could let in freezing air into your home, increasing the chances of developing frozen pipes. It goes without saying that you need to insulate your home, and repair all cracks or holes as soon as possible.

The next thing you want to think about is the AC system. Your heat needs to stay on at all times even if you leave. It may sound wasteful, but the reality is that the heat your heating system generates is going to help protect those pipes. This does mean your AC is going to be working overtime during the winter, which is the reason you need to have this system inspected as well.

You might be surprised, but Ryan Bealmear, President of Teague Electric, says, “a malfunctioning AC system can use more energy than necessary.” This could lead to higher energy bills, so making sure your AC system is properly inspected is vital. What you want to pay attention to are things like your system’s filters.

Energy Use and Your Safety

Some of the steps mentioned earlier will go a long way towards keeping your electricity bills relatively low. For example, closing up any holes or cracks can keep heat inside more efficiently, making it easier for your AC to keep your home warm without overexerting itself. Still, there is more for you to do before the winter hits with your electrical system.

The main reason you want to pay attention to your electrical system is because you are going to be using it a lot more during the winter months than before. Not only is your AC or furnace going to be working overtime, but you are still going to be using the electricity for everything else you normally do. This means that your system needs to be able to meet your energy needs without going haywire. A system that is not prepared to meet your needs could shut down on you, which is not something you want to experience in the winter.

Go through some of the most trusted electricians in your area to find one that suits your needs before the winter hits just to be safe. Be sure to ask this professional what to expect from him or her should an emergency arise in the middle of winter.

Exterior Prep Work is Vital

Another way to prepare for this winter is to prepare the exterior of your home to protect the interior. The most obvious way to do this is to have a roofer come to your home to see if your roof can handle the winter.

You do not want a roof with a leak, and you do not want to have a clogged gutter system, which can cause water to accumulate on your roof. This puts you at risk of developing leaks or even mold. It is important that you also pay attention to your front and backyard before the winter hits.

A contractor can help you figure out if you need to protect the foundation of your home because all that water is going to drip into the ground at some point and could damage your basement or foundation. What you can do is seal your foundation before the winter hits to be on the safe side.

These are just some of the steps you can take to be better prepared for the winter. Still, you are the homeowner and know how your home needs to be protected each winter, so start the prep work early.

Adam Richards

About Adam Richards

Adam Richards is a semi-retired business professional originally from Bangor, Maine. He spent the majority of his career in sales and marketing where he rose to the marketing lead of a Fortune 1000 company. He then moved on to helping people as a career counselor that specifically helped bring families to self-sufficiency through finding them rewarding careers. He has now returned to Bangor for his retirement and spends his free time writing. This blog will be about everything he learned throughout his career. He'll write on career, workplace, education and technology issues as well as on trends, changes, and advice for the Maine job market and its employers.