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How To Winterize Your Home?

How To Winterize Your Home?
How To Winterize Your Home?
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ByMariel McClung
Table of Contents

By implementing these simple steps in your home this year, you can save money on your energy bills and stay cozy all winter long. Take care of your home by acting now before the snow, ice, and cold take over. Here are some tips we have for you on winterizing your home:

Turn Down Your Water Heater

Did you know that 14-18% of your utility bill is from your water heating? Most installers set water heaters at 140 degrees – but many homeowners don’t need it to be that high. By reducing your water heater to 120 degrees, you can save 6-10% on your utility bill. Here’s a heat loss prevention tip for you as well: try covering your water heater with a water heater jacket!

Winterize Your Windows

To winterize your windows, purchase some caulk or weatherstrip at your local hardware store and apply it to seal air leaks throughout your home. For further air-tight sealing, we also recommend installing storm windows and storm doors during the colder months, which can increase your energy efficiency by 45%!

Clean Out Your Gutters

Clearing your gutters is an important part of winterization.  Be sure to remove twigs, leaves, and other debris that may have collected in your gutters. When drainage systems are clogged, rainwater will pour directly onto your foundation and seep into your basement and damage your structural support. Also, make sure that your downspouts are extended at least 5 feet to ensure that water flow is directed away from your home.  If you are in need of gutter repair or new gutters, AMC911 Crawl Space & Foundation Repair is the name to call.

Insulate Your Pipes

It is important to keep your pipes from freezing as they could burst and become a dangerous flooding hazard. You can purchase a high R-value pipe foam at your local hardware store and attach it to your pipes using duct tape.

Reverse Your Ceiling Fans

This may seem like a strange winterization tip, but reversing your ceiling blades to turn clockwise instead of counter-clockwise will generate an updraft that pushes hot air down into your living area. This works to circulate the heat into the room and can decrease your heating costs by 10%! Now that’s an innovative way to winterize your home.

Upgrade Your Insulation

Many Virginia homes are built with traditional fiberglass insulation. Unfortunately, this type of insulation works very poorly and can allow water to seep through your home. AMC911 Crawl Space & Foundation Repair offers Spray Foam Insulation which will keep your home safe, warm, and dry all winter long. Not only that, but it will save you a lot of money on your energy bill and increase the value of your home!

Cover Outdoor Furniture

If you have a grill and patio furniture outside, make sure it is thoroughly cleaned before you cover it. Make sure you buy a good quality cover to keep your items safe from ice and snow!

Set Your Thermostat

Schedule your thermostat to decrease in temperature while you are away at work during the day. After all, do you really need to keep the house warm when no one is in it? For every degree you lower it, it can save you 1-3% on your energy bill! You can even have it lower at night while you are asleep, but be sure to pile on the blankets! People that lower their thermostat 10 degrees during these times see a 10-15% decrease in their heating expenses.

Inspect Your Roof

When it comes to winterizing your home, it is important to keep your roof well-maintained. Your roof should be inspected every two years. Make sure that it does not have any loose, buckled, curled, or missing shingles. Also, look for moss and other growth that needs to be removed. If your roof is warped, has dark spots, or has damaged flashing, it’s time to repair it before winter hits. Attic leaks can be detrimental to the health of your home and let a lot of cold air in during the winter.

Drain Hoses

Make sure that all of your outdoor hoses and air conditioner pipes do not have excess water collected in them since they might freeze over the winter.

Maintain Your HVAC

Another important part of winterization is maintaining your HVAC. Get a professional to check your HVAC before winter hits. Your air filters should be checked every month. If they are dirty, clean them out so that they do not restrict airflow and increase your energy bill.

Choose The Right Contractor

If you are in need of winterization services in the Virginia BeachHampton RoadsNorfolk, and Chesapeake areas, call AMC911 Crawl Space & Foundation Repair. We offer gutter replacement and repair, home waterproofing, free foundation inspections, spray foam insulation, and more! Let us help you prepare your home for winter and keep it safe, warm, and dry for years to come.

WRITTEN BY

Mariel McClung

Mariel McClung is AMC911’s Vice President and full-time mother. Mariel studied Marketing at The College of William & Mary and is the operational brain behind AMC911.
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