March 18 2014

When you begin winterizing your home, the best place to start is the attic. If your home is heated by a heat pump, your attic should have at least 13 in. of insulation. For homes with furnaces, that depth increases to 16 in. Winterization services will tell you that having the proper insulation level in the attic is one of the most cost-effective ways to winterize your home.

Next on the agenda is weather stripping. Cracks between the doors and windows can allow heat to escape, raising your heating bills. Adding weather stripping around the perimeter of your doors and windows can help winterize your home and reduce heating bills. Winterization services recommend that before applying the weather stripping, make sure that the surface is clear of any dirt and debris. Dirt and debris trapped between the stripping and the window or door frame can cause it to leak, defeating the purpose.

Check and clean all the vents and make sure they are free of any obstructions. Take the vacuum and go over every vent opening to remove any dirt that may not be visible. Remember, it doesn’t take much dirt and dust to interfere with the efficient performance of your home heating system. In addition, this dust can be blown back into the room, creating a health hazard. Therefore, it is recommended that you have your duct system cleaned by a winterization services specialist periodically.

Also, remember to change the air filters on your heating unit. Simply slide the old one out and slide in a new one. Note the direction of the arrow that shows which side of the filter faces the heating unit. The arrow always faces toward the unit.
By following these suggestions, you’ll be able to winterize your home and have your heating system operating at peak economic efficiency in no time.