Tips to Prepare Your Home for Winter

Even though the holiday season has drawn to a close, we still have a lot of winter to get through before it’s time to enjoy the warm, sunny days of summer here in Georgia. When temperatures start to drop outside, you want to be sure that your home’s HVAC system is running smoothly and efficiently. That way, you can relax inside instead of stressing over costly repairs. The best way to prepare for the cold is to winterize your home. Here’s some of the important steps and practices you should follow to ensure a worry-free winter.

Why Winterizing Your Georgia Home Matters

As residents of Georgia know all too well, winters in the south can be unpredictable. A pleasant and clear day can be followed by a cold snap overnight. Even if the winter has been mild, it’s best to be prepared in the event of a sudden cold front. Above all, being proactive now will save you money in the long run. Investing in regular and preventative maintenance to your HVAC system is vastly more cost-effective than having to make expensive emergency service repairs.

How to Winterize House Plumbing (The Checklist)

Frozen pipes are one of the most common issues homeowners may face in the cold seasons. A frozen pipe can burst, leading to water damage, repairs, and even the disruption of water service to your home. To prevent pipes from bursting, be sure to go through these steps to winterize and protect your plumbing.

1. Outdoor Prep:

Be sure to cut off water supply to any outdoor faucets or appliances. Leave outdoor faucets open to dry, disconnect garden hoses and drain water from your sprinkler systems to prevent underground pipes from freezing. If you have an outdoor pool, don’t forget to drain its plumbing system as well.

2. Insulation:

Pipes located in colder areas such as basements, attics or crawlspaces are much more likely to freeze in the winter. Most hardware stores sell foam sleeves that can be easily fitted over your pipes, keeping them at a regulated temperature.

3. The ‘Drip’ Method:

When you know a particularly cold night is coming, it’s a good idea to leave all of the faucets in the house on, letting out a tiny trickle of water. Moving water is much less likely to freeze.

4. Shut-Off Valves:

If a pipe does unfortunately freeze and burst, knowing where your emergency shut-off valve is can help mitigate the damage and prevent further water from flooding your home. Shut-off valves are typically located near the water meter in basements.

Essential HVAC Tips for Efficiency

The best way to keep your heating running efficiently is to properly insulate your home. This traps the heat inside and your heating system operating in an energy-efficient way. The most common areas where the cold can seep in are attics, exterior doors and windows. Using tools like doorjambs and sweeps to the bottom edges of doorframes and silicone caulk around window casings can make a significant difference in your energy bill. Additionally, always be on top of regular maintenance to your HVAC system and stay up to date with filter changes and professional tune ups.

Keeping Your HVAC Condensate Line from Freezing

A condensate line is a pipe in your HVAC system that drains away excess moisture. If it freezes, the furnace will often shut down, leaving you without heat. Like with other pipes in the cold areas of your house, be sure the condensate line is properly insulated. Check that the line is sloped correctly in order to drain moisture quickly and regularly clear the outlet of debris like snow or ice.

Need Help Preparing Your Home for Winter? Contact Lawson Experts Today.

The best thing you can do to prepare your home for winter is to take action now. These steps will proactively keep your HVAC system running efficiently and save you from headaches and costly repairs.

For expert analysis and care, schedule an appointment with Lawson today to be sure your house is ready for a freeze. Visit https://www.lawsonac.com/schedule-a-visit/ or call us at 770-536-2301 today!

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