Clean Those Gutters! The leaves in your neighborhood will fall and cause hours of work to clean them up. If you do not clean them up they can cause clogged drains in which water can back up. When water backs up it can seep in to your house.
Block Those Leaks! Water will continue to try and break into your house and you have to pay close attention to all areas of water. Check all areas of water to make sure that pipes are not leaking. Re-seal windows, gutters and air vents are good recommendations to prevent future leaks.
Insulate Yourself! A lot of homes in your neighborhood have little to no insulation so you could be losing heat every moment. Adding insulation is an excellent idea to conserve energy and keep your home warm. You can add insulation in the attic or in the walls. You also can insulate air vents and water pipes.
Check The Furnace! It is always best to be proactive instead of reactive especially with your source of warmth. Have your furnace serviced to maintain its level of performance. If your furnace goes out it could be weeks before it is repaired.
Get Your Ducts In a Row! If your ducts are losing heat then you are losing money. If your ducts are in the attic or under the house then you most likely will have no idea that air is escaping your ducts. What that means is your furnace is pumping air into those areas. Simple repairs can save you hundreds of dollars.
Face Your Windows! Your home may have single pane windows and if so you are losing energy all day and night long. Upgrading your windows will help with energy and sound proofing. Also check your retrofit window to make sure they are sealed.
Check The Chimney! The fireplace is great source of heat if used, but you need to make sure the chimney is clean and ready for use. For $120 you can have the chimney ready for use. Also if you are not using the fireplace close the damper to avoid losing energy.
Reverse The Fan! If you have a ceiling fan then reverse it to turn the opposite way. Heat rises so why not push it back down. This will help re-circulate warm air your furnace has already produced.
Wrap Those Pipes! On freezing nights your pipes can crack. It is a good idea to wrap all exterior pipes for the entire winter. All exposed landscaping pipes, main water lines, or any other water lines should be wrapped and taped. You can buy foam insulation for these pipes or just an old towel or rag will be enough to protect these pipes.
Check Your Alarms! It is a city ordinance that is often overlooked. You need a smoke detector in every room and you need to make sure they work. It is a good idea to change the batteries every six months because odds are they will go off in the middle of the night.
