With the cold weather upon us, it is now time to get your home ready for winter. By taking the time to make a thorough investigation of your Charlotte home, you should be able to spot any areas that might pose an entryway for Old Man Winter. If not addressed, you could spend more time and waste valuable energy. Here's a checklist of items to pay attention to:
Furnace - Clean or replace the filters. A dirty filter causes the furnace to be less efficient energy-wise. Filters should be cleaned or replaced every 3 months to keep your furnace in good working order. If you are unsure how to do this yourself, you can hire a professional.- Windows - Check for cracked caulking or drafts. If you find that the caulking has cracked or is missing in some places, you can cut it out with a utility knife, clean the window and replace the old caulking with new. If your windows are still drafty, you may need to replace them. However, that can be expensive. A cheaper alternative would be to use plastic over them. You can get a window kit from any hardware store. Also, using heavier drapes during the colder winter months will help combat the wintery weather.
- Baseboards and Outlets - Believe it or not, cold air can find its way in through your baseboards and electrical outlets. If you find that your electrical outlets are a bit breezy, a child safety plug can help minimize the draft. Cold air coming from your baseboards can be cured with a thin strip of caulking.
- Doors - Replace old or cracking weather-stripping on your doors. When the weather-stripping doesn't sit flush against the frame, cold air can push its way through. You can also purchase a draft stopper for the bottom of your exterior doors. Add them to both the outside and inside of your doors to make sure the winter weather doesn't invite itself in.
- Sinks - Check under the sink to see if your pipes are sealed at the wall. The holes cut out of the walls that the pipes sit in are bigger than the pipes themselves. This is where cold air can seep in. Spray foam works great to plug up these holes.
Cold air inside your Charlotte home during the chilly months can be bad for your health and your pocketbook. Get your home ready for winter. You'll stay cozy and probably keep a few bucks in your pocket as well.
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