How to Keep Your Home Safe from the Cold This Winter

It may seem chilly outside now, but bitterly cold winter weather is on the way. Before the full force of winter sets in, prepare your house, both inside and out, so you can stay warm and safe through cold days and storms. Preventative household maintenance is key to avoiding things like burst pipes and expensive HVAC repair in Kalamazoo, MI. With this in mind, let’s take a look at how to keep your home safe from the cold winter weather.

Check your heating system

Nobody wants to be cold. Everybody wants to stay warm inside their homes all winter. Ideally, what you want to do is check and test your heating system prior to winter’s arrival and the harsh weather it typically brings. First things first, turn on your furnace and check that it’s working. The blower needs to be functioning correctly, and hot air should be coming in.

Clogged or dirty filters prevent your home from warming up properly. Change the furnace filter at the start of the season, and then every two to four months thereafter. If you live in a home with pets or occupants with respiratory issues or asthma, you should change the filter more often.

Finally, if you don’t already have a programmable thermostat, you might consider installing one. The pros recommend programming the system to be cooler during the night and when you’re out of the house to save money, while programming it to a warmer setting for the mornings and when you typically return home for the day.

Inspect fireplaces

Even though you have a working home furnace and heating system, you might like to use your fireplace, too. A fireplace can set the mood of the season and makes for the perfect date night in. There’s just something special about the glow of a fireplace on a cold winter night. But before opening the flue and building a fire and lighting it, make sure your fireplace and chimney are free and clear of debris.

While you can do some chimney maintenance yourself, there’s nothing quite like a professional chimney sweep coming in at least once prior to fireplace season. They can clean out soot, trapped debris, creatures and animal nests—all of which have the potential to catch fire. Also, keep the flue closed whenever you are not using the fireplace. A closed flue keeps warm air from escaping out the chimney, as well as blocking cold air from coming down the chimney. Glass fireplace doors may also help.

Ductwork

The warm air from your heating system goes through a series of ducts leading from the unit to each room of your house. Because ducts are important air channels, they have to be in good shape, free of cracks and other damage, as well as clear of dust and contaminants. Talk to your HVAC professional about duct cleaning, repairs and replacement early in the season.

The pros at All Brands Heating and Cooling are ready to help you keep your home toasty and safe this winter. For reliable HVAC repair in Kalamazoo, MI, don’t hesitate to contact us anytime!

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