Tips To Winterize Your Home and Lower Your Energy Bills
Here at Loan Choice Direct, we have compiled a list of important tasks that you should do before winter rolls into town to ensure that you save money on your energy and maintenance bills.
Not only will these tips save you money this winter, they can also help protect your family from potentially dangerous situations.
* Change all batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, regardless of whether you think they\'re \"still good\". Try to place a carbon monoxide detector near your kitchen and also near your water heater or furnace. They can easily save your life, make sure you spend a few dollars to keep your family safe.
* Inspect your furnace and heating ducts. If you don\'t know how, call someone. It\'ll help you save money on your heating bills and also prevent a hazardous fire in your home.
* Get your fireplace ready for winter. Sweep out your chimney and make sure that there is a cap or screen on top to keep the birds and rodents out.
* Weatherstrip all doors and windows to keep the cold air out. Tight seals = low energy bills
* Remove screens and replace with storm windows, if you have them.
* Climb onto your roof and check that the gutters are clean, roof shingles are intact, and take a peak at the chimney (if possible).
* Close any vents or louvers that you may have in your attic. Doing so can create a huge savings on your energy bill.
* Drain all outdoor hoses and faucets. Turn off any running water outdoors to make sure that the pipes don\'t freeze or burst.
* Add some extra insulation to your attic to save on your energy bills. If you can see the floor joists, you need to add more insulation. Most experts recommend at least 12 inches of insulation.
* Rotate and flip your mattress. Trust me, you\'ll thank us for this one. It extends the life of the mattress and prevent sags from forming.
* Remove and store (or cover) any window air-conditioners. If you decide to leave them in the window, be sure that the seals are tight so you don\'t let cold air in.
* Prepare all your power equipment for winter. Drain gas from your mowers
* Get your snowblower ready before a storm rolls into town. It\'ll save you all the time and aggravation of shoveling two feet of snow because the snowblower won\'t start.
* Prepare an emergency kit for your house. Make sure you have plenty of matches, candles, a first-aid kit, and non-perishable foods in case of a blizzard. Make sure you have your utility company\'s and other important phone numbers handy.
* If you are going away for the holidays, be sure to leave your heat on. Keep it low, but make sure it\'s above 55 degrees so your pipes don\'t freeze.
Martin Hayes is a Customer Service Specialist with Loan Choice Direct.
For home savings tips including many more articles like this one, please head over to http://www.loanchoicedirect.com
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