If you haven’t tended to your pre-winter checklist, time is running out, so you’ll want to act quickly. Following this simple checklist is your best bet for setting the stage for a safe, warm, dry and energy efficient winter.
In addition to outdoor cleanup, draining your hot water tank and scheduling a furnace tune-up, here are some necessary items to tend to before the nasty weather hits here in Nashville, TN.
De-Icing Salt
Don’t get surprised by slippery steps and driveway. Even a thin layer of ice can create a major slip and fall hazard. All you have to do is buy some de-icing salt and keep in on hand to protect yourself.
One point of caution: de-icing salt can be very harmful to pets. It’s toxic for them to eat and it can damage their paws too. It could potentially damage your lawn and garden too, so make sure that you select a brand with organic ingredients.
Organic products are also better for your own sake, in the case a pipe in your plumbing system freezes as well. The water you drink and bathe flows within these pipes, and thus, it is important to unfreeze them with a healthy material.
Ventilation
A relatively dry house is a warm house, which is why it is important to ensure that your home is well ventilated for the duration of the winter. You can accomplish this with an exhaust fan that will direct excessively moist air to the outdoors. A heat exchange vent works well. You can even open windows slightly and let fresh air in.
Not only does a damp house mean ineffective heating, too much moisture can increase mold growth, which can be a structural and health hazard.
Insulation
The main benefit of a well-insulated home is lower energy bills. The bulk of your costly warm air will seep out uninsulated walls. Other benefits include fewer drafts and less condensation.
What’s even more important is a well-insulated attic, because heat rises. You can climb up to your attic to determine if you’ve got enough insulation, or you can pay attention to other clues: attic leaks, drafts, mice, bugs, high heating bills and inconsistent temperatures are all indications that you need more insulation.
Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Safety first at home, which is why you need to make sure that your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are fully functioning.
A winter arrives, you use your fireplace and your furnace more, which means a greater risk of fire or carbon monoxide poisoning.
Test units to see if they work. Change batteries. Vacuum out the interior. Make sure that you’ve got a few fire extinguishers in your house (especially near the kitchen).