How to Get Your Home Winter Ready

Before you settle in to enjoy the cooler weather and holidays coming up, the team at APCO would like to take a moment to talk to you about winterization. Is your Columbus home ready for snow, cold winds, and other potential risks that come with the season? If not, you should get on that. And we’re here to help you do it!

Looking for ways to optimize your comfort and home quality this winter? Contact APCO online now or dial 614-254-5489 to discuss great home updates with our specialists!

No (or Minimal) Cost Winterization

While there are certainly some bigger projects that lend themselves well to prepping your home for the winter, you don’t always need to bust your holiday budget just to see some improvements. Consider these minor or no cost winterization tips:

• Clear out your gutters. Dirty and clogged up gutters are one of the biggest potential causes for ice dams, which can cause you a lot of unneeded headache and potential roof/gutter damage. Be sure to give your gutters one last clean-out before we get serious snow!
• Service your heating system.  It’s like a car tune-up, but for your heating equipment. If you want to keep your heating bills down (and avoid an annoying breakdown), this is the way to do it.
• Use winter window kits. Window kits are a cheap and easy temporary solution if you’re not quite ready for a proper window upgrade. The kits take very little time to install and can help cut down on drafts and heat loss considerably.
• Caulk air leaks. Got some air leaks you’ve been ignoring in your utility rooms, garage, or attic? Seal them now! Just a nice strip of caulk can take care of things until spring arrives. If you don’t like the idea of cleaning up gunky caulk, look into the easy to remove “rope caulk.”
• Set your ceiling fans clockwise. Fans set clockwise will push air back down into your room. Remember that heat rises, so the fans going the right way can push a lot of your hard-earned heat back where you want it.
• Drain garden hoses. Don’t forget to properly drain and store garden hoses! A mistake here can leave your hose cracked and useless if it freezes with moisture still in it.

Winter Investments

Considering some winter projects and home upgrades? The team at APCO knows just where to start:

• Upgrade to double or triple-pane windows. Double and triple pane windows have a layer of inert gas, like argon, in them, which acts as an awesome barrier against thermal heat loss and drafts.
• Get your insulation evaluated. Insulation is one of the absolute most important parts of keeping your home warm and avoiding problems like pipes freezing. It’s best to have your insulation evaluated every couple of years to ensure you have enough, and that what you have doesn’t need replacing.
• Consider a storm door. A new storm door helps to keep the winter wind away from your home. Plus, it adds some solid protection in all seasons, both against outdoor air intrusion and potential entry door damage from storms.

Contact APCO online now or give us a call at 614-254-5489 to learn more about home winterization tips in Columbus, OH!