Homeowner’s Guide to Preparing for Winter

Even though our winters in the Sunshine State are mild, it’s still wise to winterize your house. Not only will doing so ensure that your home stays cozy throughout the cool season, but you’ll also lower your energy bills. Be sure to follow the winter preparation tips below.

Seal Household Leaks

Drafts and air leaks commonly occur around exterior doors and window frames. Holding up a burning candle can help you identify the problem areas. If there’s a leak, the flame will flicker or blow toward you. Seal any leaks with caulk or weatherstripping. Use door sweeps to prevent drafts from moving into your house under exterior doors.

Reverse Your Ceiling Fans

Reverse the direction of ceiling fan blades so that they rotate clockwise. Also, run them on the lowest setting. The fans will lift cooler air to the ceiling while pushing warm air, which tends to rise, down. As a result, the room will feel warmer.

Have Your Heating System Inspected

Furnace problems can occur even when your system isn’t running. That implies you could turn the heat on during a cold spell and find that the system isn’t working properly. Avoid that by having your heating system inspected by a professional. He or she will detect small problems before they turn into costly breakdowns, keeping the furnace running efficiently and prolonging its life.

Add Attic Insulation

Heat naturally moves from warmer to cooler places. In the winter, attic insulation prevents warm indoor air from moving to the colder attic. Check your attic insulation and ensure it’s up to par. According to the Energy Star Program, attics in Florida should add R30 to R60 level of insulation to uninsulated attics. R25 to R38 is recommended for attics with three to four inches of existing insulation.

Best of all, these winter preparation tips keep your home energy-efficient even when the warmer weather makes its comeback. To learn more about preparing your home for the winter, contact us at NisAir Air Conditioning and Heating. Since 1973, we’ve provided reliable HVAC sales, repair, and maintenance to homeowners in Martin, Palm Beach, and Indian River counties.