Winterizing your home, yes we have to …….. although, the last couple of days have been ’balmy’ here in Toronto, Ontario, comparatively speaking of course; the cold weather will soon be here, for sure.
Winterizing your home now, before the weather turns really cold will save you money!
It is best to start with the easy maintenance work.
Check the furnace –the filter should be clean, the thermostat should be working efficiently and the pilot light working properly. Efficiency can be maintained by having the filter replaced regularly, every two months or as needed.
If there are any problems detected, then it is best to bring in the experts.
Check the chimney and have it cleaned as required and screened if necessary. You do not want any critters making their home in there.
Fireplaces and woodstoves tend to have accumulated soot and other debris, which must be cleaned, before winter sets in; to avoid problems and have a clean environment.
Now is aslo a good time to check the smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors and change the batteries, as needed.
Duct cleaning has to be done, if needed. This is one job that is best left to the professionals.
Look over the entire house; looking for areas where cold air can get in and the inside heat can get out. Insulation of the attic, basement and exterior walls is important. Pay attention to doors and windows that let in the cold air and the heat out, the caulking has to be re-enforced, if there are any cracks. Taking care of these issues can definitely reduce heating costs.
Clean the gutters and downspouts to prevent clogging, stagnation and an unhealthy environment. Also, any outside hoses should be disconnected and stored away and do not forget to insulate any outdoor faucets.
Always be safe and if you do not have the expertise to winterize your home, contact a professional and have the experts ie: contractors that specialize in that particular work requirement, do the job, if necessary. And, do check them out with the Better Business Bureau, before signing any contract or letting them start work on your house.
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