Monday, December 20, 2010

Tips to Winterize Your Home

Brrrr it's cold out there. Here are some quick tips to help keep your home safe and yourselves warm through these cold winter months in Calgary.
  • Clean your gutters: make sure that the melted snow has somewhere to go. Blocked gutters can form ice dams which can cause water to seep into your home. Ensure the downspouts carries the water away from the house's foundation.
  • Check your furnace: make sure everything is in working order. Nothing's worse that having your furnace quit on the coldest day of the year. Also make sure to change your furnace filter regularly.
  • Insulate: attics should have a minimum of 12 inches of insulation. If you can see your ceiling joists (10-11 inches wide) in the attic you know you don't have enough. 
  • Use the sun: open curtains facing the sun during the day and keep the others closed to help naturally warm your home using the sun's rays.
  • Don't let those pipes freeze: insulate pipes that are against outside walls and make sure you know where your water main is for emergancy shut offs. Check out my previous blog for more info on frozen pipes.
  • Consider a programmable thermostat: this is a great way to save money. Set a comfortable minimum temperature and only have it warmer in your home when needed most. Who doesn't love saving money when your sleeping or out of the house...
Hope you found these tips helpful. Ciao for now!

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