No matter where you live, it’s important to know how to winterize your home. Taking steps to prepare your home for cold weather will help you stay safe and comfortable throughout the winter months. Spending a little time and money now will help you save money on utility bills all year long.
Here are some tips for winterizing homes in OKC:
- Maintain your heating system
Schedule a professional HVAC service appointment every year, ideally in the early fall. Change the furnace filter monthly. Find instructions and product recommendations in your furnace owner’s manual or ask your HVAC pro to show you how to do it.
- Have fireplaces checked
Have woodburning and gas fireplaces inspected each year for safety. Have the chimney cleaned if needed. Remember to close the damper when you’re not using the fireplace.
- Check smoke and CO detectors
Change the batteries in your smoke and CO detectors every spring and fall. Use the test function monthly to be sure detectors are in working order.
– Seal air gaps around doors and windows
Especially in older homes, you may need to apply weatherstripping or caulk around windows and doors to seal gaps that let in cold air. Consider using heavy draperies in the winter to keep the house warmer.
– Insulate water pipes
Use foam pipe insulation to cover water pipes in unheated areas such as attics, garages or crawl spaces. The insulation resembles a split pool noodle that fits around pipes to prevent them from freezing.
– Turn off outdoor faucets
Disconnect garden hoses, drain them, and store indoors for the winter. Turn off outdoor faucets and use insulated covers to protect them from freezing.
- Clean gutters
Clean your gutters to be sure the water drains out instead of pooling into ice dams or overflowing and forming icicles.
- Prepare for emergencies
Stock up on food, water, pet food, medicine and other necessities. Keep flashlights and batteries in several easily accessible locations, such as the kitchen and primary bedroom.
- Keep the heat on
Don’t turn the heat below 65 degrees when outside temperatures are below freezing, whether you’re home or away. When temps dip below 32, open the cabinet doors under sinks and let the faucets drip to keep water from freezing in the pipes.
Winter benefits of a new home
If your current house is cold and uncomfortable in the winter no matter what you do to winterize it, it may be time to consider a new construction home in OKC. New homes are more energy-efficient than older ones and will be more comfortable in cold weather.
TimberCraft homes are built with state of the art energy-efficient features to keep you warm and snug all winter long. The entire home is protected from the weather and moisture with a layer of DuPont Tyvek HomeWrap. A high-efficiency Lennox HVAC system keeps you comfortable all year round while saving money on utility bills. Linear electric fireplaces are a low-maintenance feature that provides warmth and ambience without the need for yearly servicing.
Enjoy all these benefits and more when you move into a brand new home from TimberCraft. Homes are available now in OKC at Anthem, Highland Pointe and Echo Park. Priced from the $290s, these homes are affordable, energy-efficient and packed with features you’ll love!
At TimberCraft Homes, we take the first steps toward winterizing your home when we build it. This means you can spend less time worrying about how to winterize your home and more time enjoying it! Call us today at 405-351-7446 to tour available energy-efficient new homes in OKC!
