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How to winterize your home in 4 easy steps

Only Mother Nature knows for certain what the future holds, but what is undeniable is that winter is coming, and ready or not, your home ─ and your wallet ─ could feel the effects should you fail to prepare.

For a solid stretch of the year, you probably never dial up the thermostat in your home's interior, essentially sending your furnace into hibernation mode. Furnaces are like automobiles ─ they were made for movement ─ and by sitting lifeless for months on end, your home's central heating unit may break down when you least expect it.

Remember to check for issues before the cold season starts so you can schedule repairs before the lower temperatures cause serious problems. Boiler maintenance is a key step when learning how to winterize your home. Follow these four additional tips to complete your winter preparation checklist.

1. Replace filters

The filters that fit around furnaces help distribute airflow in a steady fashion and trap harmful particulates. Over time, though, these filters get clogged and prevent furnaces from doing what they do best: heating your home. The Home Depot recommends changing fiberglass filters every 30 days and pleated filters every 90 days.

You may have more specialized air filters to fit your specific needs. Electrostatic filters are especially efficient, trapping 88 percent of debris, such as bacteria and mold. HEPA filters are also effective and come highly recommended by the Department of Energy.

Performing basic winter maintenance - such as insulating, caulking, upgrading weather stripping and filters, having your chimneys checked, and wrapping water piping in UL listed heat tape or pipe sleeves ─ just might save you from a property nightmare in the middle of winter for a fraction of the cost, energy and time spent to remedy.

2. Clean south-facing windows

It's always a good idea to keep your windows crystal clear, but it's especially important during the winter, because solar energy can help to heat your home. As noted by the DOE, if you have windows on the south side of your home, ensuring that they remain clean and clear will help to heat your home naturally, relying less on the furnace or other heat sources.

3. Service the chimney

When was the last time you had your chimney swept? If you burn wood to help heat your home, the inside of your chimney is likely lined with soot, which is highly flammable. The City of Portland, Oregon, reports that failure to clean solid-fueled heating equipment, primarily chimneys, is the leading factor contributing to 25% of home heating fires.

Talk to friends if they know of a good chimney sweep who can tell you how often your chimney should be cleaned.

4. Clean out gutters

If you live in a heavily wooded area, your gutters are ─ or soon will be ─ caked with dirt, leaves and debris from the trees that every year shed their colorful foliage. This can present drainage problems that may lead to localized flooding or ice dams, which can lead to leaks affecting the ceiling. Keep an eye on your gutters as the winter draws closer and clean them out on an as-needed basis.

In addition to clearing the roof, gutters and windows of ice, maintaining your walkways, driveways, sidewalks and steps is also very important in the winter. Many people don't realize that this type of negligence or a lack of maintenance opens them up to a lawsuit, liability exposures and in some states is considered breaking the law.

Check out the DOE's website for more tips and tricks on how to winterize your home and keep your energy usage low.

Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, your home serves as your sanctuary from the elements. Make sure you take good care of it by winterizing and updating your homeowners insurance policy.

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