Over the past few weeks, we’ve been discussing how to prepare your home for colder weather; preparing your furnace for colder weather; why you need a whole home generator for Midwestern winters; preparing your home’s plumbing for colder weather; the benefits of whole-home humidifiers for Midwestern winters; the benefits of home automation in the winter months; your home’s winter plumbing maintenance checklist; and holiday electrical safety tips for your home. In addition to all of these topics, there are a few additional things to get your home ready for the winter months in Nebraska and Iowa!
What Do You Need To Do To Prepare Your Home For Winter?
- Make sure you’ve changed your air filter in your HVAC system. At ServiceOne, we recommend changing (or at least checking!) your 1” thick air filter every month. Especially during months where there are more allergens in the air or your system is running overtime, those filters can get clogged quickly. Not only will this regular changing out of the filter make your system run more efficiently and give you cleaner air, but it’s also going to help your system run for a lot cheaper since it’s not working overtime to get clean air out to you and your family!
- Be ready for an emergency. Blizzards and high winds can both cause blackouts. Are you prepared? Do you have flashlights ready? Bottled water and nonperishable food items will also help to keep you safe in a blackout. Some additional items to have prepared in an emergency kit for your family would include blankets, phone numbers for your utility companies, and a first aid kit.
- Prepare your yard. Trim your branches back from the windows and house. Do one last rake or mow to collect as much of the year’s grass and leaves as possible.
- Survey your house. How does the roof look? Are you noticing any shingles missing or anything that may need to be fixed before it’s too cold? Look around the foundation for any cracks or anywhere that rodents and other animals could get into your home.
- If you have a wood-burning fireplace or stove, load up on your firewood supply. Make sure your chimney is clean. Check your chimney draft to make sure you’re not letting in cold air.
- Set your ceiling fan blades to move clockwise in the winter. This will help lift the cool air to the ceiling and push the heated air down where you can enjoy it.
- Use your drapes and window coverings to your advantage. If you close your curtains at night and when you’re away from home, you can help “trap” warmer air inside your home.
- Brace yourself for winter weather. This includes double-checking that your snowblower is ready to run for the first snow, your shovels are still where you think you left them (and haven’t wandered off into a neighbor’s garage), and stocking up on snow melt.
For over 25 years, ServiceOne has been trusted to provide top-notch sales and service to homes and businesses in the Omaha/Council Bluffs metro area and in Dubuque, Iowa. With over 90 employees standing by to help you, you can always trust us to deliver 100% satisfactory service. We offer Home Warranty & Service Agreements, HVAC services, Plumbing services, Electrical services, Appliance Repair, and also help with Generators and Home & Business Automation. For more information about our services, contact us today!