Get Ready for Winter!

Days are getting shorter and nights are getting cooler. Don’t wait till that first snowstorm hits to find out your heater’s on the fritz. Whether you live in an apartment in the city or a cabin in the woods, here are a few quick tips to get ready for winter.

Service your heater and/or fireplace. Call your local HVAC technician to come out and check your heater, and make sure all is functioning properly. And if you like a warm cozy fire on a cold day, don’t turn it into a disaster. Soot buildup, or even an unknown birds nest in the chimney can cause a huge smoke or even fire situation. Call a chimney company and clean it out. You also might want to get a tarp over that outside woodpile and bring a few logs inside before they get doused with rain.

Seal up the drafts. Even if you live in a downtown urban area or the tenth floor, you still have windows and doors. Foam and V-channel (or tension seal) weather stripping helps to eliminate drafty windows while still allowing you to open the windows on warmer days.. Clear window-sealing tape or plastic sheeting is easier to install, but using one of those options means keeping your windows shut. If your doors are also drafty, install a door sweep. These easy fixes mean your place gets cozy while your heating bill stays low.

Shovel or blow. If you live in an area prone to heavy snowstorms, get a good snow shovel or blower and keep it easily accessible in case you have to tunnel your way to work. In some mountain communities, many residents even have pairs of snow shoes hanging in their garages for just such occasions.

Power up. If power outages are a seasonal probability, make sure you have a good flashlight, batteries, candles or LED lanterns, canned or boxed foods and bottled water stashed away. Get a small portable generator if you have medical or other devices that must keep running. And a USB battery pack can make sure your phones and tablets stay charged for a few days so you don’t die of boredom and the kids don’t drive you crazy!

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