Winter Is Coming: 8 Tips For Prepping Your Home

Now that you have officially said goodbye to summer and you've brought your thick blankets and stockings out of storage, it's time to also prepare your home for the winter months! Everyone enjoys a lower energy bill every month, right? Well, Thomsen Homes is here to give you a couple tips and pointers on how you can save money and make the best of your home in the winter.

1. Winterize Air Conditioner & Water Lines: This one is a simple and easy task and can actually save you money when the temps outside warm up again! You just need to drain your hoses and A/C pipes of any excess water. If you have an air conditioner with a water shutoff valve, turn it off. You should also turn off any outside water spigots and store your hoses away.
2. Turn Down the Water Heater: If you're anything like me, you like a good hot shower in the winter. Liking your water hot doesn't mean you have to run your heater temperature high. During the winter you can turn your temperature down about 20 degrees, saving you 5-10 percent on water heating costs. You'll still be able to enjoy your relaxing shower and save money on the side!
3. Change Furnace Filters: This is another quick and easy tip. Ideally you should replace your filter every month or so. Clean filters reduce energy demand. We suggest either a electrostatic or HEPA filter.
4. Put Up Window Plastic: Now you may think this is old school and an eye sore, but if you install the plastic properly, it's nearly invisible! This will help your home hold in the heat. Kits are available at your local hardware store such as Lowes or Menards.
5. Insulate Your Pipes: Have you ever heard of someone's pipes freezing? Yea, it's not good! All you need to do is touch your pipes. If they're warm, they should be insulated. You can easily buy pre-slit insulation that you simply cut to size and duct tape around the pipe. No more frozen pipes!
6. Reverse Your Ceiling Fans: By reversing your fan's rotation, the warmer air that gets trapped at the ceiling gets pushed down and circulates through the room. 
7. Block Drafts From Under Exterior Doors: This can be easily done with a rolled up towel, a DYI project or you can purchase a draft snake online.
8. Open Blinds and Curtains During The Day: Having your blinds/curtains open eliminates air trapped and reduces freezing on windows. Wipe any condensation you see on the jambs and woodwork.
9. Salt or No Salt?: Only use salt on sealed concrete. Salt will eat away at stone, brick and concrete resulting in chips and pockets on your driveway and sidewalks.
10. Winterize Your Sump Pump: Watch the video below as Niels explains how to winterize your sump pump:

    [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NOsuT-96Zs[/embed]

     

All of these tips and trick shouldn't take more than a couple hours and soon you will be on your way to an energy efficient home! Check out our Homeowner 101 Page to explore more ways to make your home the best it can be.  Now grab some hot coffee (pumpkin spice or not) and get to it!