Is Your Home Winter-Ready?

A Little Preparation Goes a Long Way

Winter is coming.

“Game of Thrones” fans know exactly what we’re talking about. But even if you don’t watch the show, winter is still coming to the tri-state area. Only question is, are you ready for it?

There are plenty of ways you can avoid heating repair in Rockville, MD, this winter. With some planning and work, you can prevent potential problems from becoming real ones. Here’s how you can get ahead of the game and winterize your home before temperatures drop.

Start With the Bigger Tasks First

These are the real game changers when it comes to staying warm and saving energy. Before you batten down the hatches and settle in for winter, consider doing the following:

• Replace storm doors and windows. It might not be as exciting as grabbing the holiday decorations, but storm doors and windows have a huge impact on energy savings. Your furnace won’t need to work as hard and your heat will last longer. While you’re at it, caulk and seal any drafts near doors and windows to conserve as much heat as possible. It’s an easy task to overlook, but it’s one that can really help you save.
• If you don’t already have one, consider a smart thermostat. You don’t need to be a techie to benefit from a smart thermostat. Once you familiarize yourself with it, the system does most of the heavy lifting for you. You can remotely control your home’s temperature from any location that has Wi-Fi. Create a temperature plan based on your schedule and save money while you aren’t home.
• Insulate your pipes. Burst pipes can wreak havoc on your home and your finances. To reduce the risk of catastrophe, insulate with quality materials. Purchase insulation with the highest R-value and use duct tape, especially for pipes that are warm to the touch. Plus, insulating will help you save more on your hot water bill because you can lower the water temperature setting. According to the Department of Energy, insulating hot water pipes can raise the water temperature 2 to 4 degrees higher than the water in uninsulated pipes.
• Schedule that maintenance inspection. Many heating repairs could have been prevented with routine HVAC maintenance. Unfortunately, many homeowners learn this the hard way. Before your heater gets put to the test, make sure it’s in proper working order. Our technicians will inspect your system and let you know what we find. Regular maintenance also prolongs equipment life and keeps it running efficiently year after year.

Then, Take Care of the Little Things

Once the priority items are taken care of, you can also:

• Switch the ceiling fans to rotate in a clockwise direction. This pushes the warm air down instead of up.
• Change the air filter in your furnace. We recommend changing the filter once a month during the winter.
• Insulate your attic and other areas that easily lose heat.

Make Home Your Happy Place

No one likes a cold, drafty home. By being proactive, you can take the chill out of winter and stay cozy all season long. Even better, you can cut your energy bills in the process. For anything that requires a professional eye, we’re here to keep your home comfortable and safe this season. Whether you need heating installation in Rockville, MD, or emergency heating repair in Alexandria, VA, we’re ready to serve you.

To request a free estimate or to schedule service, call your local Vito Services office or contact us online today.