Prepare Your Home for Winter
When the temperature starts dropping in New Jersey, that’s your cue to start preparing your home for the cold months ahead. From improving energy efficiency to maintaining the safety of your home, there are many things you can do prepare for winter.
Put your ceiling fans in reverse – In the winter, you want to change your ceiling fan to rotate clockwise—this pushes the warm air that has risen up to the ceiling back down along the walls. There should be a small switch on the base of your fan that allows you to change the rotation of the blades.
Insulate windows and doors – Use weather stripping or caulk to insulate windows and decrease the flow of air in and out of your home. You can also add a door sweep to create a better seal for your exterior doors when you prepare for winter.
Install a programmable thermostat – As you prepare for winter, one of the best things you can do for your home is install a programmable thermostat. Not only can this increase your energy efficiency, it gives you the most complete control of your home’s heating by allowing you to schedule different temperatures throughout the day. For instance, if everyone in your family is out of the house for work or school, you can schedule the programmable thermostat to lower the temperature during the day and raise it just before everyone returns home—this can save you a lot of money on your heating bills!
Check your ductwork – Your ductwork can be a large source or energy loss in your home—that’s why it’s important not to overlook it as you prepare for winter. An HVAC professional from Arctic Air Conditioning can help assess your ductwork and determine whether or not your existing ductwork is up to the task of keeping your home energy efficient, and he or she can tell what you can do if it isn’t.
Have a heat pump or furnace inspection – By far the most important aspect of preparing for winter is having your heating system inspected. You should have annual maintenance for your heat pump or furnace before the start of any heating season, so before you crank up the heat, give Arctic Air Conditioning a call. We can do a complete heat pump or furnace inspection in Middlesex, Monmouth or Ocean County, New Jersey to assess and improve your overall energy efficiency, safety and system performance.
Stock up on the winter weather necessities – Make sure when you prepare for winter you have a good supply of the following:
- Rock salt
- Sand
- Shovels
- Batteries
You never know when a winter freeze is going to roll through and make the roads treacherous, so be sure to have all the essentials on hand!
Install carbon monoxide detectors and air cleaners – Although these are beneficial all year round, there is a high risk of stagnant air in your home during the winter months when all the windows and doors are closed up tight. Installing carbon monoxide detectors and air cleaners in your home can make all the difference when it comes to your family’s health and safety.
Check all smoke detectors – Check the batteries in all your smoke detectors before the start of the season—with all the heating equipment and toasty fires in the hearth, it’s always a good idea to be safe when you prepare for winter.
Do You Need Help Preparing for Winter?
If you need help preparing your home for winter, contact Arctic Air Conditioning. Our trained experts can help you get all your HVAC systems ready for the chilly months ahead. Contact us today to prepare for winter and schedule your furnace inspection in Middlesex, Monmouth or Ocean County.
