HOME & HEARTH

8 Tips for Winterizing Your Home

Courtesy of Family Features

Winter and colder weather mean it’s time to think about winterizing to help keep your home and everyone in it safe and comfortable — no matter what Mother Nature throws at you.

Winterizing your home now can help you avoid frozen pipes, storm damage, and excessive bills. Because people tend to spend more time indoors in wintertime, it can be difficult to maintain those “perfect” interior conditions. HVAC systems may be less than efficient, and your home may not be as well insulated as it should be. As a result, utility bills can be quite shocking, especially when you consider Americans are expected to spend more than 30% extra on natural gas or 6% more on electricity this winter due to inflation, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Homeowners could save as much as 20% on their energy bills by making some improvements to insulation and fixing air leaks. Additionally, to help ensure your home is ready as the thermometer slips, consider these ideas to winterize your home from the experts at Best Pick Reports and Five Star Rated.

1. Trim Your Trees

Start outside by trimming all your trees back. Get rid of any overhanging branches that come near your house. Doing this may help avoid issues during wind, snow, or ice storms and protect your roof if too much ice builds up on those branches. While you are outside, clean out your gutters and remove any leaves that may have accumulated. This can help prevent overflow and attic leaks.

2. Add Insulation

Install additional insulation in the attic if the existing insulation looks old, threadbare or patchy. New insulation comes in many different forms like polystyrene, fiberglass or wool, and can either be filled, rolled out or sprayed. Additional insulation can help trap pockets of air and ensure your heat does not flow upward and out of the house. Up to 90% of homes in the U.S. are under-insulated, according to the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association.

3. Change Your Air Filter

Change your HVAC filter once per month, especially during the winter months. You are less likely to open windows, so most of the air in your home is being recirculated, making it extra important that the air is breathable and clean.

4. Service the Air Conditioner

Use this change of season to get your air conditioning system professionally serviced. It may have been working overtime during a particularly hot summer, and you want to avoid any potential issues during the dead of winter. It may also be less expensive and easier to find a professional HVAC company with availability during the winter months.

5. Add a Programmable Thermostat

A programmable thermostat can save you money and add comfort. It can be programmed for specific times of day, like when you are home and when you’re not. If it’s Wi-Fi-enabled, you can access it from an app on your smartphone for easy programming while out for the day or on vacation.

6. Reverse Your Fans

Simply flip the switch on the side of each ceiling fan in your home to reverse the direction of airflow back to clockwise. This practice creates an updraft, which pushes warm air down as it rises, keeping the heat where you need it.

7. Clean Your Chimney

Whether you use the fireplace every day or only on occasion, it can be potentially hazardous if not serviced regularly. Have a professional company service your chimney every year before use. If you have no intention of lighting anything, get a chimney balloon, which plugs the space, eliminating drafts and keeping heat in.

8. Weatherproof Windows

When it comes to windows, double pane is best for energy efficiency. However, they do come at a higher cost. If you are looking for a more budget-friendly option, apply weather stripping to the inside edges of your windows, which can help eliminate air leaks and blends in with the look of the window. Taking steps to winterize your home can save you the headache of repairs and expenses down the road. If you need professional assistance with any winterization projects, visit bestpickreports. com and fivestarrated.com to find experts in our area.

Want to market your services to the Hispanic Community?

Become a sponsor of Panorama Latino TV Show

Produced by Hispanic Outreach and Cultural Diversity Education, Inc.

a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization

Gingerbread House Decorating

(Ages 3-12) You’re invited to join us for our annual Gingerbread House Decorating Party! We will have fun building with lots of sweet treats. $5 Per house kit. Pre-registration required at least 3 days in advance. Thursday, December 8th | 7:00pm-8:30pm Breakfast with Santa

Join Santa for pancakes, photos, and fun! Children of all ages are welcome to come have breakfast with Santa, play games, crafts, and more. $5 Per person - Children under the age of 2 are included in parent’s registration. Saturday, December 17th | 9:00am-11:00am

Manassas Park Community Center 99 Adams Street Manassas Park, VA 20111 (703) 335-8872 ManassasParkCommunityCenter.com

CELEBRATING 35 YEAR S35 OF EXCELLENCE

The lifestyle you want.

The support you need.

At Potomac Place, friendly neighbors and team members will help you feel at home. Plus, vibrant activities, licensed nurses, and delicious dining are only steps away from your apartment! Spend your quality time doing the things you love. We’ll take care of the rest. Call 703-494-3817 today to schedule your tour.

ASSISTED LIVING AND MEMORY CARE 2133 Montgomery Ave • Woodbridge • potomacplace.com

Have an ICE DAY !

Daily Ice Skating

stonebridgeptc.com