Are you a homeowner or a first time home buyer? Don’t let winter weather get you down!  As the weather drops, there is a lot to think about in regards to home maintenance. Please take the necessary precautions to protect your home. To prepare for freezing temperatures, we at Energy Realty recommend you to:

• Winterize your home to extend the life of your fuel supply by insulating walls and attics, caulking and weather-stripping doors and windows, and installing storm windows or covering windows with plastic.
• Winterize your house, barn, shed or any other structure that may provide shelter for your family, neighbors, livestock or equipment. Clear rain gutters; repair roof leaks and cut away tree branches that could fall on a house or other structure during a storm.
• Winterize your pool and activate freeze protection controls. Make sure that the pool pump is left running throughout the night. You may turn the pump off in the morning if the temperature goes above freezing.
• Maintain heating equipment and chimneys by having them cleaned and inspected every year.
• Remove exterior hoses, drain, and cover faucets with foam cover or wrap with a towel.
• Keep the garage door closed if there are water supply lines located inside.
• Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warm air to circulate around the plumbing.
• Insulate pipes with insulation or newspapers and plastic and allow faucets to drip a little during cold weather to avoid freezing. Running water, even at a trickle, helps prevent pipes from freezing.
• All fuel-burning equipment should be vented to the outside and kept clear.
• Keep fire extinguishers on hand, and make sure everyone in your house knows how to use them. House fires pose an additional risk, as more people turn to alternate heating sources without taking the necessary safety precautions.
• Learn how to shut off water valves (in case a pipe bursts).
• Insulate your home by installing storm windows or covering windows with plastic from the inside to keep cold air out.
• Protect your plants: Bring potted plants inside or store in the garage near an interior wall; For cold-sensitive outdoor plants, put down extra mulch and consider covering with a cloth fabric.
• Keep the heating thermostat set at a consistent temperature both day and night.
• Protect yourself from carbon monoxide poisoning by installing a battery-operated CO detector, and never use generators, grills, camp stoves or similar devices indoors.
• If going out of town, leave the heat on in your home. Set the thermostat to a temperature no lower than 55 degrees Fahrenheit, and open cabinet doors where there is plumbing.

For any questions or concerns, feel free to contact us. Stay warm!