You’ve no doubt found countless ways to protect your home from the assault of winter weather, including snow, storms, and freezing temperatures. Storm windows and shutters are a good addition if your region suffers severe storms. And having a backup plan that includes batteries, flashlights, and a stockpile of wood for the fireplace is essential preparation for potential power outages. But while these steps could certainly prevent damage to your home and your family, possibly saving you from extra expense and hardship down the road, they won’t necessarily help you to cut costs when it comes to standard home maintenance during the winter. So here are a few areas you’ll want to address in order to make sure your home stays warm and well-protected throughout the winter months.
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Inspect the roof. The worst thing that could happen in the dead of winter is a roof leak, and there are a couple of reasons why. First of all, the ingress of freezing water could cause terrible and immediate damage to your home. But it could also lead to additional problems and safety issues. If you don’t notice the leak, it could weaken the roof or the ceiling above your head, potentially causing a collapse that does further damage to your structure or even harms a member of your family. And if this doesn’t occur, pooling water could lead to electrical hazards. Or you might end up with dry rot or mold months later. The point is that you should perform an inspection, maintenance, and repairs at least annually to avoid these costly outcomes.
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Ensure proper drainage. Keeping the gutters and downspouts clear of debris should allow water to drain away from your home (particularly the foundation) unimpeded and help to funnel heavy snow and ice off of your roof before it can cause a cave-in. If you also have a drainage system under your lawn, it’s a good idea to check grates or pipes ahead of time by cleaning visible debris and running water through them to make sure they’re not backing up.
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Clean and repair the HVAC system. Your furnace needs annual inspection, cleaning, and maintenance (and possibly repair) to continue functioning efficiently. And since you probably aren’t keen to deal with the fallout from a furnace failure (water freezing in the pipes, for example) it’s best to pay a small amount to have a professional technician perform this service for you. On the upside, you should have no trouble purchasing and replacing filters on your own, saving a ton of money over calling an HVAC technician out monthly for the task.
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Insulation and temperature control. Part of maintaining your home during the winter is keeping it warm, and you can accomplish this task more efficiently if your insulation is top-notch. But while this might make temperature regulation easier, you should also think about installing a programmable thermostat. You might be surprised how much you can save by setting your system to run on a schedule that drops the temperature when you’re not home or the family is sleeping.
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Consider alternative energy options. A great way to save on home heating is through the use of alternative energy like solar, water, wind, or geothermal. These options are pricy up front, and it can take several years to pay off the initial investment through energy savings. But all can save you money in the long run and help you to heat your home more efficiently. You might also want to look into ductless options. With little more than a split system heat pump explanation to get you started you could be on your way to saving energy and money by replacing your inefficient forced central air with something more localized.