Give Your HVAC A Check-Up

Make sure your heating and cooling systems are in good order by getting them checked once a year. Filters should be replaced every three months to ensure that dust particles and allergens don’t circulate through your HVAC system.

Watch For Pests

During colder months many seek refuge indoors. Keep an eye out for signs of insect or rodent activity (especially around basements, attics, roofs, garages, and outdoor toolsheds) and call for pest control at the first sign of infestation.

Prevent Burst Pipes

Freezing water inside pipes can cause them to burst in cold weather – causing costly damage to your home. To prevent freezing, maintain a minimum temperature indoors (especially in vacant or rarely used buildings), and insulate exposed pipes. Pay close attention to attics, garages, basements, or crawl spaces! Leaving a faucet dripping during particularly cold nights can also help relieve some pressure and avoid a burst pipe.

Reverse Ceiling Fans

One of our favorite tips is to reverse your ceiling fans when it’s cold outside. Running them in reverse pushes hot air down so that cool air circulates up and your rooms feel much warmer.

Inspect Water Heaters

A properly functioning water heater is one of your home’s most important appliances. If it starts to malfunction or starts to smell funny, get it checked immediately.

Check Building Exteriors

Do a thorough sweep of the whole exterior of your home, including gutters, foundations, walkways, doors, and windows. As you go through your checklist, look for water damage, damaged window or door frames, cracks in the foundation or walls, or window glass that needs repair.