The first signs of cold weather will get you thinking about preparing your house for the winter. Once the temperatures begin to fall, your energy costs will start to rise as you use more of it to maintain a warm and comfortable indoor climate.
Winterizing best practices can be money savers. You’ll reduce sources of heat loss that can cause your electricity bill to soar, and you’ll protect vulnerable areas of your home that frigid temperatures can damage. Many winterizing tasks are do-it-yourself jobs, so you’re protecting your home at little or no cost.
You may live in an older yet cozy ranch or a split-level built from one of the latest custom home design plans in Fort Wayne, IN, and equipped with the latest plumbing, heating, and ventilation systems. Now is the time to prepare your house for the winter, and here are some tasks to perform.
Plug Cracks and Holes
One of the simplest of winterizing best practices is to seal cracks, holes, and open gaps around doors and windows to stop the warm air in your home from escaping. An application of acrylic or latex caulking or expanding foam sealant around the outside of windows, doors, and areas where the siding meets the foundation is a relatively inexpensive solution to draftiness in your home.
Insulating your windows is another energy saver. A roll-on window insulation kit is a cost-effective option that attaches to window casings and creates a barrier that traps warm air from escaping. The window insulation can be removed at the end of winter.
Finally, seal the gaps around and under your exterior doors. You’ll want to check the weatherstripping for rips or to see if it is missing, then replace it if needed.
Replace the Filters
The air filter in your air heating, ventilation, and air conditioning unit will be pretty dirty by the time winter arrives. A clean air filter improves airflow and the efficiency of the unit. The air filters of the HVAC units should be replaced before winter. If possible, swap them with electrostatic filters that can remove dust, pollen, carpet fibers, and other large particles in the air. Also, have a professional HVAC technician service your unit for the winter.
Insulate the Pipes
Another standard winterizing best practice is insulating hot and cold water pipes located in exposed spaces in your home. Water lines exposed to exterior walls, floor cavities, or unheated garages could freeze and burst, resulting in flooding to your home and a lengthy cleanup and restoration job during winter. That will be the last thing you would want after investing in the best custom home design in Fort Wayne, IN. Insulating water pipes where you have access to them saves you money by reducing heat loss and lowering the cost of heating the water. Speak with a home improvement retailer about which insulation options – pipe wrap, foam sleeves, and so forth – are best for your home.
Lancia Homes is your destination when it is time to talk about building your dream home. The custom home design plans in Fort Wayne, IN, emphasize energy efficiency, architectural stylishness, aesthetic quality, and overall luxury. Call Lancia Homes today at 260-489-4433 and schedule a time to talk with them about their single-story or two-story house plan that would be perfect for you.
