Is Your Home Ready for Winter?
If you’ve lived in the Midwest for a while, you know that winter can be unpredictable. One November day could bring a freezing blizzard, and then we could have a green Christmas a month later. Autumn and winter seem to dance back and forth to music that Midwesterners can’t quite hear. No matter when winter comes this year, it’s essential for our homes to be ready for it.
Follow our checklist to make sure your home is prepared for winter.
- Schedule a professional inspection. If you have any doubts about the quality or durability of your home’s heating system, hire a professional to take a look! They can clean and prepare your system to function at its best through the snowy days ahead.
- Check for drafts. Cold air can leak through any small gaps or cracks around the recesses of your home. Fill air leaks with expandable foam or caulk, checking pipes, wiring, light fixtures on your walls, and flues in your basement and attic. You should also caulk or weatherstrip the gaps around your windows and exterior doors.
- Assess your insulation. Take some time to check the walls of each room, as well as your attic, to make sure you have enough insulation for the winter. If you’re not sure, consider calling an insulation contractor. Having proper insulation in your home will ensure you and your family can stay warm all winter.
- Install a smart thermostat. With a Wi-Fi-enabled programmable thermostat, you can set your home’s temperatures according to your schedule so that you never have to make manual adjustments.
- Get to know your home’s energy use. With Kosciusko REMC’s free online Home Energy Advisor, we can make personal recommendations for your home to use energy efficiently and reduce your electric bill. Check out our home energy advisor here.
With KREMC's winter electric checklist, your home will be ready for everything winter has to bring!
Further reading:
Electrical Safety Tips for Your Home Office
How to Prepare for a Power Outage