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REALTOR®: Weatherproof Your Home for Winter

Monday, November 26, 2007

As winter approaches, it is time to prepare your home against those cold temperatures. The San Mateo County Association of REALTORS® suggests a few simple, precautionary steps which can reduce your heating bills and add to the value of your home.

"Keep in mind the benefits of making the improvements and the risks involved in leaving some jobs unfinished," says SAMCAR President Geoffrey Craighead.

SAMCAR offers the following energy saving and winter weatherproofing tips for homeowners:

1) Check your heating system.

Heating systems vary, but in general, industry standards advise a professional check-up every year for oil-powered units and every three years for those powered by gas. However, do-it-yourself maintenance also is advisable. With the furnace off, you should replace air filters, and vacuum dust from the blower, fan blades grills and air intakes. Replace any cracked or frayed belts. Remove all flammable material from the area surrounding your furnace.

2) Program your thermostat.

Thermostats are the best way to control energy costs, and it's easy to save - just set the thermostat to 68 degrees when people are in the house and 55 degrees at night, or when the house is empty. A programmable thermostat has an automatic set back feature that can be set to lower the temperature at bedtime, and raise it again in the morning. Make sure the thermostat is on an interior wall, away from drafts. Lowering thermostat settings can reduce your heating costs by 20 percent or more.

3) Get the fireplace ready.

If the chimney hasn't been cleaned for a while, call a chimney sweep to remove soot and creosote. If left uncleaned creosote could be re-ignited, causing a chimney fire. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends closing chimney flues when you're not using your fireplace or sealing any unused fireplaces in your house.

4) Check for air leaks and seal them.

Look for air cracks around windows, doors, pipes, ducts and other openings. It is important to seal these leaks with flexible caulk. Seams where siding meets windows and doors should also be caulked. On brick siding, fill in eroded joints with mortar, to keep out air and water. Install a door sweep to keep the elements out and the heat in.

5) Insulate your home.

Check the attic to see if insulation needs to be added or replaced. This is the most significant area of heat loss in many homes, so it is also important to see that it has proper ventilation. Inadequate ventilation could lead to premature deterioration of the insulation materials. It may be necessary to check insulation in exterior walls, crawl spaces and along foundation walls, as well.

6) Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

When you make your home more air-tight, be sure you have working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Although smoke detectors should be tested year round, it is crucial to test them in the winter because sources of fire, such as fireplaces, wood stoves and portable heaters are used.

7) Lower the thermostat temperature on your hot water heater.

Most of the water you heat during the day is wasted. A setting of 120 degrees is adequate for household needs, and can save you money. On an average, it takes 14 percent of your overall utility bill to provide hot water. Savings can be realized by wrapping a water heater blanket around your water heater, insulating your water pipes and considering the installation of a timer on all electric water heaters.

8) Clean gutters.

Clean the leaves from all gutters. Then, make sure the drainage system works by running water through them.

9) Replace incandescent light bulbs with fluorescent light bulbs.

Compact fluorescent lights use 75 percent less energy than incandescent lights.

10) Let the sun work for you.

Keep the drapes closed on north-facing windows, and let the sun shine in through your south-facing windows.

"Preparing your home for winter is a smart way to cut energy costs and make sure your home is safe," says Craighead. "It's a job that is well worth the time and effort."

The San Mateo County Association of REALTORS® (SAMCAR) is a professional trade organization representing over 3,800 REALTORS® and Affiliate members engaged in the real estate business on the Peninsula. SAMCAR promotes the highest ethical standards of real estate practice, serves as an advocate for homeownership and homeowners, and represents the interests of property owners in San Mateo County.

The term "REALTOR®" is a registered collective membership mark which identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and who subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.

Variations of this article have appeared in local area newspapers.

For further information, please contact Julie Ziemelis, Director of Public Affairs, e-mail , or phone (650) 696-8214.

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