Don't let freezing winter weather ruin your holiday. Burst pipes, chimney fires, and HVAC failures can all occur during the colder months of the year and lead to significant repair prices. While it's a problem all winter long, it's the last thing you want to consider over the holiday season. With temperatures dropping all over the US, now is the perfect time to prepare your home to survive all kinds of winter weather.
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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