Preparing Your Home for Colder Weather

How Can I Prepare My Home for Colder Weather?

Unfortunately, summer doesn’t last forever — especially in Wisconsin. In fact, the minute you begin to rake leaves off of your property, it’s best to start considering how you’re going to keep your home cozy and warm during the winter months.

Before you rush to the store and pick up a new shovel or snowblower, here are some at-home preparation tips to take into consideration.

Ways to Prepare Your Home for Colder Temperatures

Schedule a Furnace Tune-Up

One of the most critical pieces of the home-comfort puzzle is a furnace. Known to keep you and your loved ones warm during the coldest days of the year, the “heart” of your home requires annual TLC to not only run effectively but efficiently.

During a tune-up appointment, a technician will examine your home’s heat-maker from top to bottom, ensuring that every vital piece of equipment is in place and in proper working order. If they notice something that seems off, they’ll notify you immediately and will present a plan of action before repairing it.

Now, if you tend to forego annual furnace maintenance, there’s a chance that your unit may need to be replaced. Typically, a well-maintained furnace will last anywhere between 15 to 20 years. But, if you’ve put off repairs or annual tune-ups, your furnace may be playing it’s last performance this winter.

Have Your Water Heater Serviced

A water heater plays an important role in your house 365 days a year, so it would be rather inconvenient (and concerning) if your unit stopped working and produced only ice-cold water on a chilly day. As it turns out, just like a furnace, your water heater should be serviced approximately every six months for optimal results.

Just like a furnace tune-up, a plumbing professional will ensure that your home’s water heater is up to par and will flush any sediment that may be collected at the bottom. Removing the tank debris will help your unit work much more efficiently and leave little room for error the minute you turn on a hot water faucet.

Consider Indoor Air Quality Services

Now more than ever, it’s essential to make sure that the air you’re breathing indoors is as clean as can be. And when you’re spending more time cooped up inside of your home when those chilly days arrive, you’ll want to have peace of mind knowing that your air supply is pure. To make this possible, consider improving your humble abode’s indoor air quality with an “IAQ” product — such as a germicidal UV lamp.

A germicidal UV lamp will help by sterilizing harmful airborne particles (with ultraviolet light) and stop them from migrating into your home. Another great way to help purify the air in your living space is to consider having a HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate) filter installed.

Unlike a traditional air filter, this heavy-duty model can remove up to 99.7% of airborne particles in your home. Another perk about indoor air quality products? They will help you and your loved ones breathe a little easier — something that’s priceless!

Insulate Your Plumbing Pipes

When those “feel like below zero” days arrive, not only will you feel it, but your home’s plumbing pipes will, too. In fact, in a conscious effort to help lessen the potential of a pipe freezing, consider insulating your pipes!

To do this, head to your local home improvement store and purchase standard pipe insulation foam (it’s relatively inexpensive). Once acquired, you’ll want to apply it to all exposed plumbing pipes. Doing this will lessen the chances of having flooding — or another plumbing nightmare — on your hands, something that all homeowners want to avoid.

Plumbing, HVAC, and Indoor Air Quality Services in Rhinelander, WI

If you’re looking for expert plumbing, HVAC, and indoor air quality services in Rhinelander, we can help! Contact Frasier’s Plumbing and Heating, Inc. at (715) 804-0947 to schedule your appointment with our team of pros!