| As days grow shorter and temperatures fall, it's | | | | to be changed. Keep in mind that a high-efficiency |
| time once again to prepare your home for the | | | | air filter will trap more dirt than a conventional |
| long winter months ahead. Taking a few minutes | | | | filter and may need to be replaced more |
| now to walk around your home--visually inspecting | | | | frequently to keep your furnace from |
| important systems from a safety perspective | | | | overheating. |
| and making note of routine maintenance chores | | | | Schedule checkups for all home heating systems. |
| that need attention--is a great way to get | | | | Regular maintenance can help furnaces, wood |
| started, and a good winter maintenance checklist | | | | stoves, chimneys and other home heating |
| can help. | | | | components stay in top working order. Most |
| Here are some tips to help get you started: | | | | experts recommend that you schedule an annual |
| Clean gutters and downspouts. A clogged gutter | | | | inspection by a qualified professional for each |
| or downspout can freeze and wreak havoc on | | | | system, but service intervals may vary from one |
| your home. Make a point of checking your gutters | | | | system or manufacturer to another, so play it |
| and downspouts well before daytime | | | | safe and check your owners manual or contact |
| temperature's dip below 32 degrees fahrenheit. | | | | each heating system manufacturer for guidance. |
| Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Use | | | | Replace worn out weather strips. Worn out |
| the testing feature on each device to make sure | | | | weather stripping around windows and doors can |
| it's working. Replace batteries and inoperable units | | | | dramatically increase your home heating costs. |
| as needed. | | | | Weather strips are easy to replace, and should |
| Recharge or replace fire extinguishers. Check the | | | | pay for themselves in a very short time. |
| gauge on every fire extinguisher to make sure it's | | | | Inspect the insulation in attics and crawl spaces. |
| fully charged (arrow pointing to the green area of | | | | Over time, fiberglass insulation panels can sag |
| the gauge). Remove each extinguisher from its | | | | away from rafters, joists and wall cavities, |
| mounting bracket and turn it upside down to help | | | | allowing cold air to penetrate your home. Duct |
| prevent the dry chemicals inside from caking on | | | | tape can be used to reseat a small problem area, |
| the bottom over time. If your fire extinguishers | | | | but extensive sagging may indicate a moisture |
| are more than one year old, consider having them | | | | problem. Try to determine the source of this |
| inspected by a professional. | | | | problem before you replace large areas of |
| Check furnace vents. If your home has a forced | | | | insulation. And, if you decide to replace the |
| air furnace, check to make sure that vents in | | | | insulation yourself, make sure you follow |
| primary living areas are open and unobstructed. | | | | manufacturer guidelines for personal protective |
| You can partially close vents located in less | | | | equipment. |
| frequently used rooms, but don't close them all | | | | Protect exterior water valves. Hose bibs located |
| the way unless you're sure there is no chance of | | | | in an unheated garage or on the outside of your |
| water pipes freezing as a result. Keep in mind that | | | | home may need protection to prevent freezing |
| temperatures inside the walls of your home will | | | | damage. Inexpensive insulating covers are |
| be lower than adjacent living areas. | | | | available at most home centers, but it's still a |
| Stock up on furnace filters. Dirty furnace filters | | | | good idea to shut off the water supply connected |
| waste energy. They also force your furnace to | | | | to the hose bib from inside the home. After |
| work harder to heat your home. Your owner's | | | | shutting off the water supply, open each hose bib |
| manual should explain what types of filters are | | | | to allow any remaining water to drain. Disconnect |
| best for your furnace, and how often they need | | | | hoses and store them inside for the winter. |