Plummeting temperatures and winter storms can have a major impact on your home. Without the proper maintenance, you could end up dealing with a wide variety of expensive issues ranging from water damage to frozen pipes. Here is a closer look at a few seasonal tasks that will reduce your risk of costly disasters in the coming months.
Contact an Energy Auditor
Consider hiring an energy auditor if your home hasn’t been inspected in the last few years. One of their professionals can help you come up with a comprehensive plan for reducing your home’s energy use while improving its overall insulation. This could help you save money on utility bills during the cooler months.
Seal Your HVAC System
Properly sealing your HVAC system is one of the most effective ways to lower your utility bills. In the average home, around 30 percent of the air that moves through the HVAC system is lost due to pinholes and cracks. If your ducts run through unconditioned spaces like attics and crawlspaces you are heating the outdoors. Luckily, ducts can usually be sealed with nothing more than metal tape or mastic sealant. You can also seal openings around your doors and windows with all-purpose caulk and a caulking gun. After sealing the ducts properly be sure they are insulated properly as well. Extra insulation for ducts in unconditioned spaces can pay big dividends.
Double-Check the Roof and Rain Gutters
You should thoroughly inspect your home’s roof well before the first winter storm blows through. Seemingly minor issues such as bent shingles or cracked flashing can result in expensive damage later on. If more than a few shingles are damaged, then you might need to have the roof repaired by a professional. You also need to clean out the rain gutters and check for blockages once every few weeks. If you live in the North where ice is an issue, ice can form and work its way under shingles and cause severe damage.
Inspect Your Appliances
No one wants to deal with broken appliances in the middle of a winter storm, and that is why you should inspect those devices at least once a month. You can also invest in a home warranty that covers any damage to your home’s key appliances. Most comprehensive home warranties cover HVAC systems, washers, dryers, and kitchen appliances. Homeowners also have the option of investing in annual maintenance plans with a local plumber or electrician.
Winterize Outdoor Spigots and Hoses
Hoses, splitters, and other connections need to be removed from your outdoor spigots before the first frost of the season. Once you have removed those devices, you will then need to turn off the outdoor water supply and open all of the spigots. Depending on your home’s landscaping system, you might also have a drainage tube near the back of your yard. That tube will allow the water to drain out so that it doesn’t freeze in the pipes.
These preventative maintenance tasks can help you avoid paying more in the future. You’ll also want to contact your home warranty provider, like those at America’s Preferred Home Warranty, to find out exactly what is covered under your policy. This ensures that if something does happen to malfunction, you’ll have help to cover the cost.
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Can air conditioners freeze in florida?
There are many reasons why your AC unit may be freezing up. Air conditioners need proper airflow to keep the cold coil warm. Warm air from the home is needed for the coil to stay cold and keep the temperature above freezing. … A freeze up can also be caused by low refrigerant and improper fan operation.