Don't let freezing winter weather ruin the cozy season. Burst pipes, chimney fires and HVAC failures can occur during cold spells and winter storms, which can often lead to significant damage with repair costs to match.
While it's a problem year-round, it's even more important to prep your home before a major snowstorm. With temperatures dropping across the US and heavy snowfall expected for much of the country, now is the perfect time to prepare your home to withstand all kinds of winter weather.
To help you ready your home or apartment, I consulted TJ Laury, an HVAC expert and president of Ben's ProServ, for essential winter home safety tips for a comprehensive guide to help you inspect and winterize any 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 of HVAC systems mostly as 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.
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