Are you ready for winter?
Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2008 3:42 pm
Hi folks,
Just wanted to remind people of some of the things to do before your cold weather really sets in...
Give your furnace a run thru the heat cycle, make sure everything is operating as it should be. Also make sure that you have changed your filters and do so every 30 days. For the best performance you should have a service tech inspect yearly.
Are the vents closed in your shirting, water lines wrapped in heat tape or other wise protected. Is it installed correctly? Make sure to drain you outside hose faucet.
Batteries, have you tested/changed the batteries in your smoke detectors/carbon monoxide detectors. Do not forget the one in the thermostat if needed. Last year I could of avoided a costly service bill had I remembered to change that battery as well.
Fire extinguishers, do you have yours available in a easy to get to place. Do not place these near where a fire is most apt to happen, over the stove or beside it, place in another area. Make sure you have another one available for your furnace. Make sure you have the right rating and it is fully charged.
If you have a fireplace that uses gas logs or wood have you had it inspected lately, this should be done yearly. Same with wood stoves, make sure the stove pipe is clean. Make sure you are burning only hard, seasoned dry wood!
To help keep your home warm, hang heavy drapes at your windows. Close them when the evening arrives and open to allow the morning sun to shine in. I play this drape game every day!
Put plastic over your windows if needed. For cheap money you can also get insulators for your wall switches and outlets. These are only needed in the exterior wall ones.
Replace any door and window seals with new ones, these are also cheap. Small drafts will suck the money right out of your wallet into heating bills.
Make sure to run your vents when cooking or bathing/showering. Mold will grow quickly in warm moist areas.
If you are using your oven in preparation for a meal, instead of closing the oven door when done and allowing the heat to escape through the vent keep the door open a little and let the heat come into the home. DO NOT heat your home with your oven regularly.
If you are using space heaters do not use an extension cord with them. If you must then make sure you are using a heavy duty cord (construction type) that can handle the electrical load. Keep all heaters away from drapes!
And lastly, I always like to add, I know our homes are small, but if you have large heavy furniture blocking your windows please rearrange. In the event of a fire you need these windows accessible to escape. It does not take very long for our homes to burn to the ground!
If anyone has something to add to help winterize your home or safety precautions please add your thoughts.
Thanks and be warm and safe this winter.
Yanita
Just wanted to remind people of some of the things to do before your cold weather really sets in...
Give your furnace a run thru the heat cycle, make sure everything is operating as it should be. Also make sure that you have changed your filters and do so every 30 days. For the best performance you should have a service tech inspect yearly.
Are the vents closed in your shirting, water lines wrapped in heat tape or other wise protected. Is it installed correctly? Make sure to drain you outside hose faucet.
Batteries, have you tested/changed the batteries in your smoke detectors/carbon monoxide detectors. Do not forget the one in the thermostat if needed. Last year I could of avoided a costly service bill had I remembered to change that battery as well.
Fire extinguishers, do you have yours available in a easy to get to place. Do not place these near where a fire is most apt to happen, over the stove or beside it, place in another area. Make sure you have another one available for your furnace. Make sure you have the right rating and it is fully charged.
If you have a fireplace that uses gas logs or wood have you had it inspected lately, this should be done yearly. Same with wood stoves, make sure the stove pipe is clean. Make sure you are burning only hard, seasoned dry wood!
To help keep your home warm, hang heavy drapes at your windows. Close them when the evening arrives and open to allow the morning sun to shine in. I play this drape game every day!
Put plastic over your windows if needed. For cheap money you can also get insulators for your wall switches and outlets. These are only needed in the exterior wall ones.
Replace any door and window seals with new ones, these are also cheap. Small drafts will suck the money right out of your wallet into heating bills.
Make sure to run your vents when cooking or bathing/showering. Mold will grow quickly in warm moist areas.
If you are using your oven in preparation for a meal, instead of closing the oven door when done and allowing the heat to escape through the vent keep the door open a little and let the heat come into the home. DO NOT heat your home with your oven regularly.
If you are using space heaters do not use an extension cord with them. If you must then make sure you are using a heavy duty cord (construction type) that can handle the electrical load. Keep all heaters away from drapes!
And lastly, I always like to add, I know our homes are small, but if you have large heavy furniture blocking your windows please rearrange. In the event of a fire you need these windows accessible to escape. It does not take very long for our homes to burn to the ground!
If anyone has something to add to help winterize your home or safety precautions please add your thoughts.
Thanks and be warm and safe this winter.
Yanita