Not only can the winter chill your bones, it can also significantly increase your energy consumption. If your home is less than energy efficient, warm air can easily escape and you're left with sky high power bills. Fortunately taking the right steps to winterize your home can help you get the most from your heating and reduce your energy bills. Here are some ways to do so.
Clean Your Ducts
One of the easiest ways to overspend on utilities during the winter is by having your ductwork airflow clogged up. Like any other part of a home, ducts need periodic maintenance and need to be cleaned every so often. This is mainly because they can accumulate dust and debris that minimizes their overall efficiency. When this happens, it can result in lower air quality and less airflow. In the worst cases, your home can be losing up to 60 percent of the hot air, which means you're wasting money and your home isn't being properly heated. That's why it's smart to hire a technician to inspect and clean your ductwork every few years.
Prepare Your Windows
Another simple way to winterize your home is to lock your windows. This is because this will create an air tight seal that will keep the majority of warm air inside your home and prevent it from escaping. Not only will this prevent intruders from breaking in, but it can help you save money as well. If you have a wall mounted air conditioning unit, you should detach it and place it in storage for the winter. This is because it's easy for warm air to escape through the crevices between the window and your AC unit. If you don't have space for storage, then it's best to place a cover over it.
Clean Your Gutters
After autumn is over, it's common for homes to have an excess amount of leaves and other debris clogging the gutters. While this can be problematic at any time of the year, it can be especially bad during the winter when water can't escape. When this happens and the temperature drops, it's easy for ice dams to form. Once this happens, it makes water back up and can cause it to seep into your home. Obviously, this is detrimental because it can result in flooding and create mildew on the interior of your home. That's why you should take the time to clean out your gutters and thoroughly wash them out with a hose. This way water will be able to flow and your home should be good to go for the winter.
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