The cooler temperatures came in what seems like overnight, and the Lowcountry is once again headed into the holidays. After such a stressful year, it’s important to feel comfortable at home. And this time of year, that means warming it up. Though the Lowcountry area may not see much snow, we are subject to the danger of ice at least a few times during the season
So, we’ve rounded up three top tips to ensure your family’s protection this holiday season, all while keeping them warm inside.
Check Your Heat
If possible, the best time to check your heat source is before the cool weather hits. We recommend turning on the heat and blower to be sure they’re operating correctly. It’s important to remember to change your furnace filter at the start of the winter season, and then every two to four months after that. Depending on your individual needs, filters tend to get dirty more quickly if your home is dusty or you have pets. Clogged or dirty filters not only cause the heat to work less efficiently, but they also hinder the heater from warming your house properly.
Another good tip is to use your fans! Although most people think your ceiling fans should just be used for summer, they can also help to circulate the warm air from the ceiling down into the room.
Protect Those Pipes
When water freezes, it expands. This can cause your pipes to crack and burst when the temperatures drop. This can also happen when pressure builds up behind a chunk of ice. To remedy this, leave your faucets dripping in extremely cold weather; this will prevent it from freezing too quickly. A few other ways to avoid busted pipes in cold weather are: covering outdoor faucets with foam insulators, disconnecting and storing outdoor hoses, and draining water from outdoor sprinkler systems and faucets to keep them from freezing. Lastly, it’s important to protect the pipes running through unheated areas of your home; places like the attic, basement, garage, etc.
It’s also a good idea to know in advance where your water shutoff valve is so that you can quickly turn it off, if necessary. Usually, they are located in a basement or buried near the road by your home.
Examine Any Openings to the Outdoors
Cleaning our fireplace or chimney before you light your first fire of the season is another pro tip. Ensure these areas are clear and free from any critters. It’s also not a bad idea to hire a professional chimney sweep to clean out old leftover soot and debris to protect it from catching fire.
Once clean, make sure you are keeping the flue closed all the way to keep all the warm air from the fire inside. There shouldn’t be any cold air coming down through the chimney. You can also install glass fireplace doors to keep all the cold air out.
Seals around your doors and windows are also imperative to keeping your home warm during the winter months. Gaps around these openings can make it tough to keep the cold air out, and the warm air in. You can use caulk and weather stripping to reseal these areas, which is both inexpensive and efficient, saving you on higher heat costs.
If you have older doors and windows, consider replacing them to fully reap the benefits from your heater. This will automatically create better insulation and create a more energy-efficient home.
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