Prepare Your Home for Winter in 12 Steps

As the days shorten and temperatures drop steadily, you need to make sure you’re ready for the winter season in the Birmingham, AL area.

Here’s a checklist of items to take care of before the temperature plummets:

  1. Check your heating system. Have a professional inspect your burners, filters, fan, fan motor and all electrical components. Hire a specialist to clean your ductwork as well. Clear vents and chimneys to make sure you’re not at risk for carbon monoxide poisoning.
  2. Review all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors While a fire can happen at any time, the risk is greater while running a furnace or boiler. Same for carbon monoxide. Change batteries as needed and replace faulty detectors.
  3. Drain outdoor faucets. Pipework to outdoor faucets must be clear of water that can freeze. Close the shutoff valve to the faucet and turn on the tap to drain the piping.
  4. Go shopping early for the kids. Children grow like weeds, which means almost a complete wardrobe change annually. Make sure they have warm clothing before they need it.
  5. Complete all renovations that involve your home exterior. Prioritize sealing windows and doors with caulking and weather stripping. Upgrade attic insulation and any other insulation necessary to keep the heating bills down.
  6. If you have a wood burning stove or fireplace, stock up on wood chips or logs.Fill oil tanks for oil burning heating appliances. Do the same for diesel if you have an emergency generator.
  7. Bring out the snow blower and make sure it’s ready to go.
  8. Stock up on emergency supplies like canned goods (with a can opener!) and keep enough water to last a week (1 gallon per person per day). Avoid a scramble to the supermarket just before a winter storm hits and knocks out power.
  9. Get your flu shot. It’s no guarantee, but you’ll reduce the chances of spending time in bed and possibly the hospital.
  10. Change over summer tires to winter tires. To reduce stopping distance and lower risk of skidding on ice (and to save gas), switch tires once the temperature drops below 7°C (45°F)
  11. Put a winter emergency kit into your car. Include: thermal blankets, tire chains, a shovel, first aid kit, sand, booster cable, batteries, a torch light, canned food, a can opener, water, important medication and a battery operated radio.
  12. Top up all fluids in your car: fuel, windshield washer fluid, brake fluid, etc. Take care of critical repairs to keep you safe on winter roads.

 

    If you need help with any of these items, give Freedom Heating and Cooling at (205) 444-4444 today so you’ll be ready for whatever Jack Frost and his buddies have in store!