October is 2/3 complete and if you haven't done so already, it is time to start thinking about winterizing your home. There are different tasks that need to be completed based on the type of home you live in - apartment, house, mobile home. This list may not be complete but will touch on the major elements of winterization.
Heat Loss Through Windows - Regardless of the type of home you live in, there will likely be heat loss through windows - unless of course you have already covered the windows. Having windows in a home is important for aesthetics, and for health but they are huge sources of heat loss (or gain in the summer) so it is important to cover the windows with some type of material that doesn't allow for heat loss through them. It used to be a standard routine in days gone by to take time in the fall to attach storm windows but this practice has fallen by the wayside with the introduction of double and triple paned windows. However, we still have heat loss through the winter. If you don't mind keeping your curtains closed every day you could use the curtains as a shield to restrict heat from transferring from warm side to cold side. Or you cold purchase plastic file and attach, via 2-way tape - to the window frame. This method actually works very well but is not an environmentally efficient method as the plastic is difficult to keep from year to year. You can also purchase thermal shades or roll-up blinds to assist with keeping the cold out during the evening and overnight.
Heat Loss Through Electrical Outlets - Outlets on outside walls are sources of heat loss. Feel the wall around your outlets and if the wall is cold you have heat loss. There are outlet kits that can be purchased to cover the outlets reducing the heat transfer.
Heat Loss Around Doors - Check your doors by inserting a piece of paper between the door and frame. If the paper comes out easily you will have heat loss around the doors. Purchase weather stripping to apply around the door frame to cut the heat loss.
Turn Off Outside Taps - You should have a shut-off valve controlling the water to your outside tape. Be sure to turn off the water using this shut-off valve, then open the outside tap to drain the water left in the pipes. This standing water can expand and burst the pipe if not drained.
Sand Buckets - Obtain sand buckets and fill with sand (preferable to salt for environmental reasons) to have available for spreading on sections around your home that tend to ice up. Not to be used as a substitute for shovelling.
Clean Eavestroughs - It is important that your eavestroughs are cleaned of debris. This debris fills the troughs, blocks the downspouts and results in water standing in the troughs. When this happens, the water freezes and can back up under the shingles resulting in water leaking inside the walls.
Change Furnace Filters - Your furnace needs to run efficiently and cannot do so if the filter is dirty.
Service the Furnace - Now is a good time to get the furnace looked at - before anything goes wrong - or before it becomes too cold to be caught by a furnace failure. You can look at putting your furnace on a service contract which will ensure that you will get help should your furnace fail.
Duct Cleaning - If you have done major renovations in your home over the past year, it is not a bad idea to have your ducts cleaned. This will remove any debris that is in the ducts that may prevent even air flow throughout the heating system.
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