While we don’t want to be the bearers of bad news – it is obvious to most New Englanders that the cold weather will be here before we know it. Here are some tips you can do to help “cold-proof” your home as much as possible:
- Clear leaves from gutters – it’s a slimy job but the task will protect your siding and basement from expensive water damage. Accumulated leaves can be a problem in other areas as well. Check the valleys of your roof and check drainage ditches and culverts.
- Check your roof for any loose or curling shingles.
- Make sure entryway stairs are stable.
- Make sure silcocks are turned off.
- Check to make sure garage doors are closing properly and seals are in good condition.
- Check exterior doors for drafts and replace weather stripping if necessary.
- Check windows for drafts.
- Have your boiler serviced.
- Get programmable thermostats installed. You'll save about 3% on your heating bill for every degree that you set back your thermostat full time. (Turn it back 10 degrees when you go to work and again when you go to bed, and you can save about 14% on your heating bill.) Put on a few extra blankets at night and turn down the temperature 10°. You may actually feel a lot better in the morning due to the increased humidity at a lower temperature.
- Take advantage of "cheap solar heat". On the side of your home that is exposed to the sun during the day, keep the windows treatments and drapery open to let as much sun shine in as possible. This is what's referred to as passive solar heat. Conversely, all windows coverings should be closed at night, or when the sun is not shining.
- Wash your clothes in cold water. New detergents work well using cold water settings, which can save a substantial amount of money for big families that run many loads of laundry.
- Install a fireplace heater grate. There are a lot of folks that enjoy the warm cozy crackle of a fireplace during a cold winter night, but the truth of the matter is that most of that heat goes right up the chimney! A fireplace heater grate captures heat from your fireplace and circulates it into the room. Typically these units can capture 30-50,000 BTU's of wasted heat from a fireplace and effectively heat that room or part of your home.
- Maintain moisture in your home. Forced hot air heat and wood stoves can rob your home of moisture. A touch of moisture makes heated air feel warmer. A furnace mounted humidifier is likely your best answer if your home has forced hot air. If you have a wood stove a non-whistling tea kettle or pot filled with water and placed on top should take care of it.
- Check your homeowners policy to make sure it covers damaged caused by cold weather.
- With the holidays approaching maintain your large appliances by vacuuming your refrigerator condenser coils and front lower grill, cleaning oven and stove drippings and cleaning out your garbage disposal (pack with ice and ¼ cup baking soda, turn on, after ice grinding stops pour in a kettle of boiling water).
As always, we are here to help with any of the above processes that you may wish to take care of – no project is too big or too small for us.
Lenny & Lisa
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