How to Prepare Your Home for Winter

by Executive Housing Consultants, Inc 12/16/2019

Winter can be both a beautiful and dreaded season for homeowners. It often arrives with various weather challenges that may affect your home. Snow, ice, cold temperatures, and other harsh elements can cause problems in your house or impact your energy bills if you are not prepared. If you are new to an area or a long-term occupant, the steps below will help you winterize your home while the weather is still mild.

Schedule a Heating Check-Up

Schedule a service call for your furnace and HVAC system before the winter season storms in. A professional will check for leaks and blockages in and around vents and pipes while also maximizing the efficiency of your system, cleaning or replacing air filters and verifying thermostat functionality.

Prepare Your Pipes

Frozen pipes are a problem homeowners face during the winter season. This can be the case even if you live in a relatively temperate climate. You can prepare for this by carrying out a full pipe check on your property. Walk around your home to inspect the visible pipes. Search for pipes that have cracks or any access points where cold air can come in. Seal any openings you find with caulk, insulation foam, or aluminum tape (as appropriate). If your home is older, you may consider using heat tape around exposed pipes as a precaution.

Seal Windows, Doors and the Attic

Sealing areas around your door frames, windows and attic openings where cold air may come through can help keep your heat inside where it belongs. There are inexpensive, effective materials like plastic, foam, vinyl, and felt that can be used for this purpose. If you’re unsure about where to begin, speak to a professional about what material and application method is best for the area you’re hoping to seal. If you are interested in a more in-depth assessment, your local utility provider may offer an inspection service to help you keep your energy costs low.

Get Smart with Your Thermostat

A smart thermostat could be a helpful addition to your home. These work by adjusting to your heating needs — raising the temperature when your household calls for it and lowering the temperature while you’re sleeping or away at work or school. Smart thermostats can help to improve energy efficiency as they learn your schedule.

Winterize Your Home

Home Maintenance

Efficiency

About the Author

Executive Housing Consultants, Inc

Executive Housing Consultants, Inc. is the residential real estate company specializing in the rental and management of luxury properties in the Washington Metro area. This includes Chevy Chase, Bethesda, Potomac and North Potomac, Maryland, Upper Northwest Washington, DC, and McLean, Arlington and Great Falls, Virginia. Executive Housing Consultants was founded in 1983 to provide exceptional service and management of high-end rental housing. Our founders, Libbie Mathes and Rochelle Scissors, traveled the world and were disappointed with their experiences with the leasing and management of their homes in the Washington area while abroad. They recognized the need for a well-run, property management company. Libbie and Rochelle believed they could manage and run a rental real estate firm more efficiently than any of the companies they had dealt with during their time away. They also discovered the need for quality temporary housing in Washington. So they created our short-term furnished portfolio to serve those visiting Washington for a temporary stay and those relocating to the area that need a furnished property while they looked for a permanent housing solution. In 1997, Brian Ridgway took over Executive Housing Consultants and has continued our strong reputation of offering high-quality, upscale temporary and long-term rental real estate. Mission Statement Executive Housing Consultants Inc. is a leader in providing luxury temporary housing to our clients in the Washington Metro area. Our pledge is to offer exceptional housing and superior service while maintaining the highest level of integrity and strict ethical values. In addition, we promise to: Be loyal to our clients. Protect our clients’ interests in all matters. Promptly and diligently respond to our clients’ needs and the needs of their properties. Remain the experts in our industry. Why Are We Unique? We are truly the experts in this industry. Leasing and managing rental properties in the Washington Metro area is our niche; it is ALL we do. We offer unparalleled expertise, service, and value to our clients. In addition: Our contact and referral network is vast. We set the standard for world-class service in our industry. We are your link to success, whatever your residential rental needs maybe. Our clients own some of the most valuable real estate in the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. area. Contact Executive Housing Consultants Inc. for more info! Phone: (301)951-4111 | Email: info@executivehousing.com