As much as we hate to admit it, winter is almost here, so it’s time to start preparing for it by taking care of a few things inside and outside the house.
Indoors
Furnace
If you haven’t turned your furnace on yet, this is the first step! Simply turn the thermostat to heat and set it to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. You should hear the furnace turn on and feel warm air flowing through the vents within minutes. If you find any issues, call your furnace company right away. Once you have tested the furnace, replace the air filter. A dirty air filter negatively impacts the quality of your furnace and costs you more money.
Thermostat
It is important to program your thermostat to be cost efficient. Programming the thermostat to have a lower temperature setting when you are not home and turned up for when you are home saves energy and money. As a matter of fact, turning the heat up only when you are home, saves as much as 30 per cent on your heating bill! Also be sure to change the direction of all your ceiling fans. In the winter they should be running in a clockwise direction, creating an updraft to increase circulation.
Fire & Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Replace all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in your home and test them to ensure they run efficiently.
Outdoors
Now that the important tasks inside are completed, it's important to turn your attention outside, especially before the snow falls. We’ve created a quick checklist to make sure all your chores are done outside so you can relax when the snow falls.
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Drain all water fountains, pumps, and hoses. Head down to the basement to turn off the outside water valve.
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Remove leaves from your lawn. Fallen leaves that stay on your grass for a prolonged period of time can potentially kill your grass.
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Cover shrubs and small trees with burlap.
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Cut down perennials and apply mulch to garden beds.
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Cover the air conditioner unit.
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Clean out all the gutters. This is best completed after the leaves have fallen and before the snow falls. Clean gutters will help prevent ice dams that can lead to water damage in the attic, ceiling, and walls.
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Give your deck a quick once over. How does it look? If needed, reseal your deck before winter.
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Clean and then store, or cover, all outdoor furniture.
Winter Safety Checklist
When snow starts to fall, it can bring power outages, slippery walkways and other hazards. You can help keep your home prepared by having the following on hand:
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A good snow shovel (or two).
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De-icing compound for your walkway/driveway.
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A winter doormat; one with rough texture to help remove mud and slush from shoes before entering the house.
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Candles (and matches), flashlights and batteries.
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Battery-powered radio.
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First aid kit - make sure you go through the contents and replace expired or used items.
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Enough food and water for your family (and pets) to last 72 hours without power or help.
from Devonleigh Homes http://ift.tt/2gT4PtK
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