Melanistic Magazine - Vol. 12

REAL ESTATE 101: FIVE TIPS TO

Winterize Your Home

Errol Scott @hardbodyrealtor

With winter weather in, you need to prepare your home for frigid temperatures and winter storms. Winterizing your home will not only keep you warm, but also it will help you save money on your energy bill and keep your home protected from other damage due to things like burst pipes and broken gutters.

Install Attic Insulation & Seal Air Leaks

If you do not have an insulated attic, your home is losing lots of warm air and overworking your heating system. You can reduce your energy consumption with an adequately insulated attic while remaining comfortable throughout the year.

Insulate Pipes

When frozen pipes burst, they can cause severe damage to your home. Protect your home by insulating exposed pipes. Pipe insulation is cheap and effective. Wrapping exposed pipes in your basement, under sinks, and outdoors will help protect you from water damage. Also, don’t forget, turn off outside water spouts and detach outside hoses from these spouts.

Furnace Filters & Programmable Thermostats

Regularly changing the furnace filter is an important habit, but it is easy to forget. Winter weather is a great reminder that it may be time to change your filter. Replacing your filter will help your heating system run more efficiently; helps you stay warm and save money. Connected to your furnace is your thermostat. Installing a programmable and smart thermostat is a great way to ensure that your heating system is working as efficiently as possible.

Seal Your Windows

Windows are also a source of escaped air but they can be sealed in a variety of ways: You can caulk your windows or apply weather stripping. A less aesthetically pleasing but very effective way to seal your window is with insulation film.

Clean Gutters

With fall ending, most leaves have fallen into your gutters. Clean out your gutters and downspouts before it snows. If your gutters are clogged and it starts to snow, you may see flooding around your home where the backup occurs once the snow and ice melts. This will also put extra weight in your gutters and increase your chances of further damage.

Keep your family warm and your home safe with these seven winter preparation tips. From attic insulation to basement pipes, there are ways to get every part of your home ready for the cold.