Before you know it, winter will soon be here. Will your home be ready for our harsh Minneapolis winters ahead? Now is the best time to start prepping your home to keep it warm and help keep your heating costs under control.
Seal Leaks Around Your Home
Check around your window frames and door frames for drafts. If cold air can get into your home, the warm air that your furnace is working so hard to make can seep outside too. Cold air seeks warm air and vice versa. Make sure to caulk around your windows, doors, floor molding and any gaps around pipes that could be leaking air.
Upgrade Your Windows and Exterior Doors
Older windows and exterior doors aren’t very energy efficient. Upgrading to new energy efficient windows and doors now will keep your home warmer this winter. This investment in your home will save you money year-round on both your heating and cooling costs. An added benefit is that these improvements will add to your home’s value.
Check Your Insulation
A well-insulated home will be more comfortable not only during the winter, but throughout the entire year. And it can also help keep your energy bills in check. If your attic isn’t properly insulated with R-49 rated insulation, your heating dollars are going straight up to your roof. Not only will your house be cold, a lack of attic insulation could also potentially cause damage to your roof and gutters by causing ice dams.
Test Your Smoke and CO Detectors
You will want to make sure that all the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in your home are working properly. Once winter arrives you will be using your furnace most of the time or maybe even a fireplace. If either malfunction, you have a greater risk of fire or carbon monoxide gas in your home. Change the batteries and in all the smoke and CO detectors in your home to keep your family safer this winter.
Have Your Furnace Serviced
Regular maintenance on your furnace will help keep it running more efficiently. Make sure to change your air filter each month to maintain proper airflow to your furnace. The more efficient your furnace is, the less energy it will use.
Midwest Roofing, Siding & Windows can help you get your home ready for the long, cold winter months ahead. Call us today at (763) 445-4727 for a free estimate.