Here are tips to winterize your home as we enter the official start of the winter season
The official start of the winter season, also known as winter solstice, is on Saturday, Dec. 21. If you haven’t already begun preparing your house to keep the cold temperatures out and the warmth in, it might be time to start.
The National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center predicts that atmospheric river activity and weaker storm systems are expected to bring about heavy rain, strong winds and heavy snow in higher elevations across Washington state for the next one to two weeks.
In parts of the south Puget Sound, such as in Tacoma and Olympia, the chance of rain will continue through New Year’s Day and temperatures will fluctuate between the mid to high 30s and low 50s, according to the Weather Channel website.
Temperatures in northern Washington, such as in Bellingham, are expected to range between the high 30s and low 50s with the chance of rain continuing through New Year’s Day.
In eastern Washington, such as in Kennewick, Pasco and Richland, there will be more cloudy days than rainy days with temperature lows expected to reach below freezing temperatures on Jan. 1, according to the Weather Channel.
Here is what you should do to ensure that your house is ready for the winter.
Tips to winterize your home
Taking certain steps to protect your home before it gets too cold can save you time, money and stress down the road. Most home disasters caused by winter storms, like burst pipes and leaks, can be prevented with the proper precautions. They can also make your home more energy-efficient and better at retaining heat.
One of the most important steps is a thorough inspection before temperatures are freezing, according to several home safety experts. You can hire a professional to check major appliances, or you can do it on your own. Make a checklist of things that need to be examined at your home each winter:
Roof
Gutters and downspouts
Windows
Doors
Window and sliding door tracks
Siding
Attic
Crawl spaces
Pipes
Garage, garage door
You can seal any cracks, holes or gaps to keep cold air out and prevent leakage. Depending on where it is, you can use caulking, silicone lubricant, covers or other materials to seal these off.
Preventing burst or frozen pipes is an important element of winterizing your home. Any exposed pipes should be insulated. Check pipes and spigots around your home’s exterior, and remove any garden hoses. Drain these as much as possible, then turn off the water to any outdoor faucets. Put faucet covers over spigots before expected cold snaps.
It is also suggested to trim any tree branches that may break due to heavy snow fall which could potentially damage your roof, siding or power lines.
Inside, you’ll want to keep your faucets on a slow drip to keep water circulating in extreme cold situations. Open any cupboards with pipes inside to allow warm air through. Get familiar with the main water shut-off valve in your home, so you can stop the water in an emergency.
Make sure you’re also familiar with the backup heating system where you live, or get one ready for the winter. Backup assistance like a gas furnace or heat strips can help heating systems in below-freezing temperatures, when heating pumps are less effective.
When you check the insulation around your home, be sure to check in your garage as well, including the door. Keep the garage door shut as much as you can. Once you’ve examined the garage, it’s a great place to keep backup generators, emergency kits and propane space heaters, which work in any emergency.
How can I conserve energy during the winter season?
It is especially important during the winter to turn off lights that you aren’t using to conserve energy.
It’s worth checking with your utilities provider for winter rate changes. Electricity may be cheaper at certain points of the day. With extreme cold, utilities costs can skyrocket, no matter what you’re using electricity for. Planning when to use more energy vs. less can save you money in the long run.
Keep warm air in and cold air out with:
Weatherstripping tape (available online and at most hardware stores for under $10 a standard roll)
Draft stoppers (most are available for under $30)
Insulating shrink film (comes in various sizes, generally under $30
Energy efficient windows or insulated curtains
Best thermostat settings for winter cold
Turning up the heat in your home during the winter season can break the bank, but you shouldn’t have to sacrifice your comfort and warmth to keep your energy bill low. According to the DOE, smaller differences between indoor and outdoor temperatures can help to lower your overall bill.
Puget Sound Energy advises setting your thermostat to 68 degrees or lower when you are home and awake, and lowering your thermostat 7 to 10 degrees when you are asleep or away can help save energy in the home and lower your electric bill.
Lowering your thermostat by 7 to 10 degrees from its normal setting for eight hours a day can save you as much as 10% on your heating costs every year, according to the U.S. Department of Energy website.
