With November already upon us, winter is right around the corner. And, while winters in Texas aren’t as brutal as in other parts of the country, The Texas Freeze taught us that they can be dangerous if you’re not properly prepared. In addition to being dangerous, winter can also be expensive if your house isn’t in tip-top shape. You’re bound to use more electricity to stay warm, so you’ll have to find ways to save it in other areas.
If you haven’t done so, you should drop everything and schedule a maintenance check for your heating system. The last thing you want is a damaged or outdated HVAC system that won’t work during winter when you need it most. By scheduling a service visit with a professional, you can know that your heating system will turn on when it’s supposed to. A professional HVAC inspection will also ensure that your system is operating as efficiently as possible.
A professional maintenance check will also give you enough time to install a new system if necessary. You should also consider investing in accessory heaters for individual rooms that tend to get chilly during winter. After all, it’s much better to have too much heat during winter than not enough.
In addition to having your HVAC system serviced, you should also have the insulation of your home examined. If the R-value is insufficient or there are gaps in the insulation, heat will escape your home. This will result in high heating bills plus an uncomfortable house.
It’s important to pay extra attention to problem areas such as attics and crawl spaces. Heat rises, which means that if your attic isn’t insulated, every bit of heat you produce will float right through your roof. At the same time, however, if your crawl space isn’t properly insulated, cold air and moisture will leak into your home.
While it’s a bit of an investment, installing new doors and windows is the best thing you can do to prepare your house for winter. It’s estimated that more than 50% of your home's heat loss is due to inefficient doors and window panes. You can stay comfortable this winter by installing high-efficiency doors and windows that keep heat inside and cold outside.
The last thing you need in the middle of winter is a leaky roof to compound your problems. If you have damaged shingles or roofing tiles, you should have them repaired or replaced by a roofing contractor.
Simultaneously, if it’s been several years since your last roof inspection, investing in one is a good way to catch problems before they happen or know if your roof is outdated. One cubic foot of ice or snow can weigh up to 20 pounds, meaning a damaged roof isn’t something you need during winter.
While trees and limbs near your home might not pose a problem in the present, they could once they’re weighed down with ice and snow. The extra weight could be enough to bring them crashing down on your roof or a person or car in your driveway. By cutting them down preemptively, you can prevent these problems.
Frozen pipes are a common problem in Texas. Traditionally, homes get built with just enough insulation and protection for pipes to keep them from freezing in low temperatures. However, plumbing pipes in vulnerable areas can freeze and burst if the temperatures remain freezing long enough. This is especially common along outside walls, in crawl spaces, and in attics.
If your gutters are clogged, rain and snow won’t have anywhere to go after they land on your roof. As a result, they’ll end up backing up and freezing on your roof when temperatures drop. As we mentioned earlier, a cubic foot of ice can weigh 20+ pounds, so cleaning your gutters is paramount.
When it comes to preparing your walkways and driveways for winter, there are several things you can do.
Replace your walkways and driveways with new ones with in-ground heating to melt ice and snow on contact.
One final thing you should do outside your home is walk around your house and check for cracks in the foundation. If you notice cracks of any size, you should contact an excavator or foundation specialist. Cracks will only worsen with time, especially when the ground freezes and thaws throughout winter. It’s important to make foundation repairs while the problem is small.
Covering hardwood, laminate, and tile floors fulfill two purposes.
First, it provides a warm place to walk when you wake up on cold winter mornings.
In addition to feeling good and being efficient, there’s a good chance that a new rug will add some much-needed life and decoration to your home.
While these are ten of the best ways to have your home ready for winter, it’s also important to have a good electricity plan with a reliable company. Having a prepaid or unreliable electricity plan during winter is a terrible idea because they might turn your power off without notice. Contact us at GoodCharlie Energy to learn about your energy alternatives and for more winter preparation ideas.