Winter weather can turn your happy holiday into a nightmare overnight. From burst pipes to chimney fires, winter presents a unique set of risks for residents in all regions of the US. Whether you rent or own, securing your home for sub-zero temperatures helps prevent damage, disaster and untold amounts of emotional distress -- and a potential hit to your household budget.
To prepare you for the cold months ahead, I consulted TJ Laury, an HVAC expert and the president of Ben's ProServ, for essential home winter safety tips and a comprehensive guide to help you inspect and winterize your home.
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1. Winterize your HVAC system
HVAC in the winter? While you might not be using it during the colder months, making sure maintenance is up-to-date is essential. welcomia/iStock/Getty Images
Barring extreme circumstances, most winter-related issues typically do not appear without warning.
We tend to think about HVAC systems mostly in terms of the machines we use for indoor climate control, such as heaters and air conditioners. However, your HVAC system also requires vents, doors, windows and insulation to function properly.
Unfamiliar sights, sounds and smells in your HVAC equipment are the clearest signs that maintenance is necessary. For example, Laury says that rattling and noises can mean deeper issues with your system.
If your heating system doesn't show any of the signs above, Laury suggests looking out for drafts and uneven heating in your home. These often indicate that your system isn't running efficiently. Although you can spot drafts without a thermal camera, it's a helpful tool for finding places where cold air enters your home.
Winter HVAC to-dos for everyone (including renters):
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