Winter is here, and, according to those in the know, prognostications are for a much 
cooler than normal winter here in Athens and N.E. Ga, up to 40% cooler temperatures according to NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). So, if you haven’t yet, it’s time to get the home ready for winter. It’s time to do the things that will keep you more comfortable and at the same time keep your heating costs down.
Here are a few suggestions for things that you can do to make your home more enjoyable this winter:
1) If you have a fireplace orwood burning stove have it cleaned and inspected. Either do it yourself or hire a chimney sweep to:
- Clean your chimney of creosote and soot buildup. This makes your fireplace function better as well as remove a potential fire hazard.
- Inspect your fireplace damper to make sure that it is opening and closing correctly. Keep the cold air out when the fireplace is not in use and let the smoke exhaust up the chimney when burning.
- Check the firebox for cracks or damage
- Check the chimney cap to make sure that it is in place and that the screen is intact to keep out birds and rodents.
2) Have your furnace, heat pump, etc. inspected and serviced by an HVAC professional.
- Stock up on and replace furnace filters monthly.
- For more savings, replace your existing manual thermostat with a programmable set back thermostat.
3) Exterior doors and windows:
- Replace screens with storm windows and doors if you have them.
- Caulk around exterior window and door jambs
- Replace worn weather stripping in doors and windows
- For additional weatherizing, you can cover windows with plastic sheeting, but, this will cut down the light and does not look good.
4) Prepare your exterior faucets (hose bibs).
- Disconnect all hoses from hose bibs
- Install insulating covers over hose bibs
5) Gutters and downspouts
- Remove all leaves and debris from gutters and downspouts
- Flush out downspouts with a hose to clear any debris
- Remove and debris or blockages from around the base of downspouts to prevent ice dam buildup
6) Insulate
- Insulate your hot water tank with an insulating blanket you can buy at the hardware store.
- Insulate exterior outlets and switch plates with inexpensive foam sealing gasket.
- Increase insulation depth in attic to 19″
7) Prepare an emergency kit
- Buy indoor candles and matches / lighter for use during a power shortage.
- Replace the batteries in your flashlights and store them in an easily accessible location. Have extra batteries available.
- Find the phone numbers for your utility companies and tape them near your phone or inside the phone book.
- Buy a battery back-up to protect your computer and sensitive electronic equipment.
- Store extra bottled water and non-perishable food supplies (including pet food, if you have a pet), blankets and a first-aid kit in a dry and easy-to-access location.
Doing all, or even just some, of the above will make winter in your home more comfortable and will save you money on heating bills. As a bonus, some of what you do may be eligible for tax credits next year, so, keep your receipts.
And, on those chilly evenings, just sit back with the person and beverage of choice, and, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow. But maybe not quite as heavily as last year.
For more information about real estate, or, if you are interested in buying or selling your home or property in the Greater Athens and N.E. Ga area, please call me at 706-207-5290. You can search for real estate in and around Athens and N.E. Ga by visiting my webpage, The Athens Real Estate Page.
