Weatherization

With the warm fall temperatures this year, I was late on winterizing my home. Do you have any last minute tips?

Answer from Ross:

Dear Jack,

Your question is timely as the Weather Channel is predicting snow just in time for Thanksgiving! Follow these quick tips to beat the snow and stay warm all winter.

Prevent heat loss through windows. Although it may not be the most fashionable way to dress your windows, window insulation film can keep up to 70% of your heat from leaking out. With kits costing between $20-$35, this just may be the lowest cost way to keep your home warm.
Utilize weather stripping. With all the guests attending our Thanksgiving, we will be opening and closing our doors a lot! Keep the heat from leaking out your doors and windows by sealing them tight with weather stripping tape and draft guards.
Flush your water heater. Sediment can build up at the bottom of your water heater and over time this can hinder the unit’s efficiency. Flush the water through the drain valve to clear out the debris and keep your unit functioning all winter.
Clean your gutters. Fall leaves, sticks and even stray baseballs can clog up your gutters creating massive icicles as the temperatures drop. Get rid of this safety hazard and prevent damage to your home’s exterior by clearing out your gutters so water can flow freely.
Adjust the ceiling fans. During the winter months, have your ceiling fans rotate clockwise to push rising warm air back down. Additionally, ceiling fans are an effective way to distribute warm air throughout your home.