Crisp fall weather is on its way and while you are enjoying soccer and corn mazes, don’t forget to prep the house for winter. You don’t want to wait until your pinky toes are turning blue and you are without heat.
A little maintenance and prevention can go a long way to avoid higher utility bills, heating repairs. HIP Chicks always wants to encourage you to DIY, but you should call the pros for roofing, chimney care, and heating and A/C service.
For safety and money savings, call in a chimney sweep and HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) professional. If you burned many wood fires over the previous winter, there may be a dangerous buildup of creosote in the chimney. Yearly service on your heating/cooling system is vital to keep it running smoothly. Service may include changing belts, replacing worn components and cleaning key parts.
You may find more competitive rates now before it gets cold and pros are busy with procrastinators and emergencies.
Follow these steps to get your home ready for old man winter before you are left out in the cold. A cold and snowy winter is predicted for Philly and hot toddies just won’t cut it.
- Buy a cover for your A/C unit to protect it from ice and snow
- Change your heater’s air filter now and every three months
- Order firewood early and save money
- Order heating oil early and see if you can lock in your price for later
- Have fireplace flue cleaned by a pro
- Have your heating system serviced by a pro
- Have sprinkler systems drained to prevent freezing in water line by a professional
- Weatherize your home with caulk, weather stripping, new thresholds and add insulation where needed
Schedule your home services soon. I’ll be sending you DIY tips on the weatherization projects in the upcoming weeks. Try to tackle the DIY jobs over the weekends, then you‘ll be cozy warm when Mother Nature unleashes her fury!
