According to a study carried out by Stanford University researchers, published in the Journal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres, increasingly colder winters are becoming more common in the U.S. and this trend is likely to continue in the near future.
In particular, the 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 winter seasons showed the largest variation of winter temperatures between eastern and western parts of the US over the last 35 years. While temperatures in the East were more moderate in the 2015-2016 winter, the overall numbers are still showing colder temperatures trends.
As such, you should winter-proof your home before the coming winter season. Preparing your home for the upcoming season will ensure your comfort and safety. This includes a heating system tune-up Hopewell NJ among other tasks that will help winterize your home.
Best Ways To Prepare Your Home For Winter
Contents
In this article, we discuss seven budget-friendly tips to prepare your home for this winter:
Heating System Tune-Up
Hire a heating technician to inspect your heating system and carry out repairs if necessary. Of course, you should hire a technician who has completed training and earned certification from a program such as the North American Technician Excellence (NATE) or other equivalent programs. Additionally, the technician should be a member of reputable industry bodies including the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA). The average cost of heating system inspection is fairly inexpensive for the value that you get in exchange.
A heater tune-up will make your system run more efficiently while improving its ability to keep your home at a comfortable temperature level. It also helps reduce energy costs while preventing any minor issues from escalating. It helps improve your indoor air quality. Overall, it is a win-win for your home heating system. Call PFO Heating & Air Conditioning to schedule an appointment.
Winter Essentials
Check your supply of winter essentials, such as shoveling gear, and restock accordingly. In fact, you are likely to get great discounts if you buy your winter supplies long before the start of winter. If you already have snow shoveling equipment, spruce it up (regular maintenance and repairs) to ensure it is in good condition.
Weather-Stripping Windows And Doors
Windows and doors, even with tiny gaps and spaces, allow for cold drafts to seep indoors. This makes your home feel colder than normal even with the heating system turned on. For this reason, you should seal gaps/spaces with an appropriate sealant such as caulk or weather stripping before winter. In addition, cover all windows with plastic film secured with waterproof tape. Homes that have single-pane windows need to replace them with double-pane windows, which are designed to prevent heat loss.
Plumbing Insulation
Use materials such as mineral wool, polyurethane, plastic fiber, cellulose, and natural fiber to insulate the water pipes in your home. This prevents problems such as flooding that is caused by burst water pipes.
Sealing HVAC Ducts
Hire a professional to evaluate your home’s ducts and seal openings that could allow in cold air. The Energy Star program states that faulty ducts account for 30% of heat losses in the average home. Therefore, it is vital to make sure that your HVAC ductwork is in top condition.
Gutter Cleaning
Ensure your gutters are free from any foreign materials that can prevent the proper flow of rain and melting snow.
Wall Insulation
If your home was built pre-1980s, it can lack adequate insulation. This means that it could leak cold air during winter. To prevent this, the US Department of Energy (DOE) recommends installing 12 to 15 inches of insulation or increasing your home’s R-value. They recommend that you, at least, insulate your attic. Insulation materials that you could use for this purpose include polyurethane, polystyrene, and loose-fill fiberglass. Research done by scientists at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory found that loose-fill fiberglass insulation could reduce heat loss by 50%.
Conclusion
Before you know it, the winter will be here. Homeowners can take advantage of the fall to prepare their home adequately before the winter season arrives. In addition, the more preparation that you do, the more that you will be able to reduce your home heating costs. Be sure to schedule your annual heater tune-up. Your home will feel nice and warm throughout the winter even where there is a blizzard outside.
Call PFO Heating & Air Conditioning For All Of Your HVAC Requirements
PFO Heating & Air Conditioning offers high-quality HVAC services in the Greater Princeton, NJ area. Rest assured, we only hire the best professionally certified technicians for all your heating and cooling service needs. All our techs are knowledgeable and experienced in correctly conducting superior HVAC tune-ups, repairs, installations, and replacements.
Our company has the most competitive HVAC rates in the area. We can help improve your home’s comfort, energy efficiency, and cost-effectiveness through our maintenance services. Our technicians can also recommend the best repair and replacement solutions that fit within your budget. We value your satisfaction, so all our services come with a guarantee. Schedule a service appointment and call PFO Heating & Air Conditioning today. We provide free, no-obligation, in-home estimates.
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We service Belle Mead NJ 08502, Blawenburg NJ 08504, Hopewell NJ 08525, Kingston NJ 08528, Pennington NJ 08534, Princeton NJ 08540, Ringoes NJ 08551, Rocky Hill NJ 08553, Skillman NJ 08558, and surrounding areas.