Prepare your gas furnace . Protect windows and doors .
From the holidays to cold-weather fun like ice skating and skiing , winter promises its share of good times . Preparing your home for winter ' s weather extremes can help ensure that you get the maximum enjoyment out of the season , while protecting your home ' s vital systems and indoor comfort .
" Winter weather can take a toll on homes , so it ' s important to take steps to protect systems like HVAC and plumbing before cold weather arrives ," says Emily Lewicki , brand manager with Luxaire ( R ). " Properly winterizing your home can help keep it more comfortable , prevent damage from cold and ice , improve efficiency and help reduce heating bills ."
Lewicki recommends vital winterization steps to get your home ready for the season :
Prepare your gas furnace . Protect windows and doors .
Manage pipes and water sources .
During the summer , you probably didn ' t think much about your furnace , but as winter approaches it ' s important to make sure all elements of your home ' s heating system are in top working order . If you haven ' t already scheduled a professional service appointment for your furnace , now is the time . A professional technician is best equipped to ensure that furnaces are ready for winter .
Meanwhile , steps you can do yourself include :
* Remove any items that might have gotten stored near the furnace during the summer . Likewise , make sure air returns and vents are clean and not blocked by furniture or other items .
* Change the air �lter . If you have trouble remembering when it ' s time to replace �lters , try setting reminders on your smartphone according to the furnace manufacturer ' s recommended schedule .
* Update your thermostat ' s programming to re�ect your winter schedule . If you don ' t have a programmable thermostat , consider installing one ; a properly programmed thermostat can reduce energy bills up to $ 180 a year , according to the ENERGYSTAR . gov website .
If your current furnace is more than 10 years old and frequently needs repair , consider replacing it before winter gets into full swing . Extreme cold can make a worn furnace work harder and possibly fail altogether when you need it most . High-ef�ciency gas furnaces like a Luxaire ( R ) Acclimate ( TM ) gas furnace can help ensure that you ' re never without heat during the winter , while also saving money on utility bills . These ENERGY STAR quali�ed furnaces are 15 to 25 percent more energy ef�cient than standard models , meaning they require less fuel to keep your home at a comfortable temperature .
Up to a third of the heat lost from an average home escapes through windows and doors , according to the U . S . Department of Energy . Before winter arrives , take these steps to protect windows and doors from air leaks , drafts and heat loss :
* Check weather stripping on doors and caulking around windows . If any are damaged or worn , replace them .
* Install storm windows to further reduce drafts .
* Use temporary measures like draft dodgers along the base of doors and removable insulation kits over windows to help keep cold air out and warm air inside .
Extremely low temperatures can cause water pipes to burst , causing a loss of water and possibly extensive damage to your home if �ooding occurs . Uninsulated pipes can also cause heat loss , which increases energy costs .
To minimize winter ' s impact on pipes and other water-related systems , take these steps :
* Place insulation on exposed pipes that carry hot water , especially if they are warm or hot to the touch . The Department of Energy says insulating pipes can increase water temperature by 2 to 4 degrees , allowing you to lower the setting on your water heater to conserve energy .
* Have outdoor water supplies like irrigation systems professionally drained and winterized to prevent freezing and costly damage .
* Flush the water heater to remove particles and sediment that collects inside the unit over time , hindering its ef�ciency . If you don ' t have a gaspowered water heater , you can wrap it with insulation to improve its ef�ciency .
Finally , check on your home ' s insulation in key areas like attics and basements . If your home needs more insulation , or the insulation you have is in bad shape , add more before winter arrives . The Insulation Institute offers an online guide to help you understand how much insulation you need .
" Winterizing is the best way to protect your home from cold-related damage , and ensure your home ' s heating system operates at maximum ef�ciency throughout cold weather ," Lewicki says .