Winterizing the Home

For all we put up with Michigan weather, the least it could do for us is give a nice white Christmas.  Unfortunately, chances of that this year are looking slim (but keep your fingers crossed!)  Though we keep only getting peeks and glimpses of winter, Michigan will surely spring it on us when we least expect it.  Therefore, it is necessary to have your home prepared and winterized.  Is winterize even a real word?  Good news, I looked it up, it is.  Here are some tips for winterizing your abode:

Furnace Inspection:

A major element of home comfort during the months of November-March is the furnace.  Therefore if it fails you, you could have some big problems.  It is incredibly important to have your furnace inspected by a certified HVAC technician.  They will check for any problems or potential problems that could cause you to have a chilly Christmas.

Sealing:

Sealing, Sealing through the house, all the doors are shutting.  The bad news is that your home has leaks, and so whether you want to or not, you are heating the outdoors as the heated air in your home slips out into the frostbitten winter.  FLAME can help to inspect and find leaks in your home, you can use weatherstripping to seal doors and windows or you can even make your own draft blockers to put at the bottom of doors.

Plumbing:

Have you ever had your refrigerator set too low and then had pop cans burst because of it?  Imagine that happening to the pipes throughout your home.  What a mess.  Therefore, you should drain things that aren’t in use in the winter such as garden hoses and make sure to never turn the heat down too far.  Insulating pipes that are exposed is also a good idea.

If you have any questions or concerns or want to know more about winterizing your home, please contact FLAME.  This information was found from www.ffold.awcsite.info and “Winterizing Your Home:  Preparing for Winter” on About.com