The weather is getting chilly and it’s time to get ready for a few months of snow and cold. There are several things you can do now to reduce energy bills and save money later. Here are a few of what we consider the most important to help you get started.
Rain Gutters
It’s a good idea to clean debris and leaves from gutters now rather than wait for the first snow. While it’s still a bit warm, scooping the leaves out isn’t a big job, but if you wait until snow melt is trapped in your gutters, you will be dealing with a cold, soggy mess.
Check for Drafts and Air Leaks
Cooler evenings mean it will be easier to locate drafts and seal them. Walk around your home barefoot and feel with hands and feet for any cool air coming through doors and windows. Don’t forget to run your hand around light switches for any leaks as well.
If you find any areas where cool air is coming in, you’ll want to seal it with insulation, weather stripping, or foam depending on where the leak is. Taking care if it now ensures you aren’t warming up the outside when it gets even colder.
Insulate Pipes and Hot Water Heater
Insulating pipes and your water heater can not only save you money on heating costs, it can help prevent frozen pipes in Glenview, IL. This is a fairly easy do it yourself project that has big rewards. Insulation can increase the hot water temperature up to four degrees and can also save up to 8 percent on heating costs.
Turn Off and Drain Outside Water Connections
Whether you water your lawn by hand or have a sprinkler system, now is the time to drain and unhook any connections and outside hoses. Make sure your automatic sprinklers are blown out so the cold weather doesn’t cause cracks in the pipes or connections.
There are several things you can do to prepare your home for cold weather. We hope these tips help you get a head start on winter.
