Burst pipes, astronomical heating bills and drafty doors and windows can make for a long and miserable winter, even in the Pacific Northwest. Though our winters are milder than much of the country, there are still some preventative measures we can take to ensure that we remain comfortable throughout the season and save money in the process.
- Use a programmable thermostat to regulate your home’s temperature and lower heating bills. Lower your home’s temperature any time you’ll be asleep or away from home more than a few hours.
- Reduce air leaks and drafts by adding insulation to walls, crawl spaces and even floors. Caulk windows, replace weather stripping, install storm windows and/or cover windows in plastic to reduce energy loss and keep your home warmer.
- Install glass doors on your fireplace to keep warm air inside.
- If you have ceiling fans, reverse them to go clockwise. The fan will push warm air downward instead of drawing it up toward the ceiling.
- Change your furnace filters monthly, according to manufacturer specifications.
- Disconnect your outdoor hose, shut off the water valve, drain the spigot and cover it with a Styrofoam cover.
For more helpful tips, read the full article by Katy Read and Christy Desmith at HouseLogic.com.