Chicagoland residents are all too familiar with how harsh and unforgiving a Midwest winter can be. And the harshness of a Chicagoland winter doesn’t just affect residents, it affects our homes as well. It can lead to a dramatic increase in heating and electricity bills if our homes are not properly winterized and prepared for the winter season. Save money and stay warm by following our best tips for winterizing your home!
Interior Tips:
1. Get Heating System Checked By A Professional
This one is a must! In previous blog posts, we have touched upon the importance of getting your heating systems professionally checked to make sure they’re in working order. This step can save you big time and money in the long run so you can catch any potential problems early.
2. Flush Hot Water Heater
During the summer months, sediment and gunk can build up in our hot water heaters. Before winter sets in, it’s important to flush out the hot water heater so you can be sure that it’s running as efficiently as possible during the cold months ahead. Some good news? It only takes about 20 minutes from start to finish! Here’s a guide to help you out.
3. Insulate Hot-Water Pipes
Hot-water pipes that are not insulated, indoors or outside, are always at risk of losing heat or freezing. In the case of freezing, you want to avoid that entirely so you never have to deal with burst pipes. Make sure to insulate all exposed hot-water pipes so you avoid burst pipes or losing out on important heat.
4. Insulate Attic:
If you have an unfinished attic in your home, make sure that you have insulation installed. Insulation is vital for keeping the rest of your home warm and avoiding hazards like ice dams, which can be quite common in the temperamental climate of the Chicago area.
5. Get a Home Energy Assessment:
If you are a Nicor Gas customer, then you automatically qualify for a free energy assessment. An energy expert will come out to your property to look for ways for you to save energy and money on your energy bills. Check out how to sign up for a home assessment here.
6. Use Draft Guards
Using draft guards in the gaps underneath and around door frames can actually make a huge difference in preventing leaks and saving money on energy bills. When those little gaps repeatedly let in cold air, it means our furnaces must work even harder to heat up our homes. Give your furnace a rest by making sure small gaps are covered by draft guards.
7. Weatherstrip Window and Door Frames
For gaps that are too small for draft guards, using weatherstripping is a must. Weatherstripping can fill small gaps in window frames or other movable parts of your home. Even smaller cracks must be filled with caulk to complete prevent drafts.
Exterior Tips:
8. Clear Gutters
Clearing your gutters, especially after an autumn in Chicago, is essential for winterization. If you don’t, once freezing temperatures come, your chances of ice dams increase greatly. Avoid an ice dam hazard by clearing gutters before a heavy snowfall.
9. Put Away Water Hose
Another important winterization step is to put away your water hose before temps dip below freezing. Leaving them outside, without detaching from the exterior faucet, will prevent burst pipes, broken joints, and broken valves.
10. Install Storm Windows and Screen Doors
If you have screen windows and doors installed, for the winter months it’s necessary to replace those screens with the storm version that will insulate much better. Installing them is just another great step to ensure your heat is staying inside, and all the cold air is staying out.
11. Check Roof Tiles
For our second-to-last winterization tip, we recommend hiring a professional to look over your roof tiles to make sure none are missing or cracked. If you do have missing or cracked tiles, you may get leaks in your roof from the inclement weather of winter.
12. Trim Trees and Plant Windbreak Bushes
Our last tip for winterizing your home is definitely not to be overlooked. Trimming trees, especially the parts that hang over your home, is necessary before a heavy snowfall. You don’t want o risk those branches falling onto your home after they have been weighed down by snow. Another good idea for exterior winterization is to plant windbreak bushes that will break up the breezes that will hit your home or yard. Here’s a guide for the best windbreaks and how to plant them.
How To Get A FREE Weatherization Kit
All Nicor Gas customers are entitled to free weatherization kits that could really help in your winterization process.
Each kit contains:
- 12-pack of outlet and switch foam gasket
- 17′ roll of closed cell foam tape weatherstripping
- 17′ roll of V-seal type weatherstripping
- Self-adhesive door sweep
- 30′ roll of rope caulk
If you’re a Nicor Gas customer and you’re interested in ordering your free kit, then go here to learn more about all Nicor’s free kits and services.
In Conclusion
We hope that our 12 winterization tips will help keep you and your home warm and cozy this winter! Even though winter is officially here in the Chicagoland area, it’s still not too late to take all the necessary steps to fully winterize your home.
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If you find yourself needing additional information or help, then feel free to reach out to me directly via phone or email.
About Gerardo Zavala, Realtor
There is a true passion for connecting people with real estate that makes me fall in love with my career over and over again. While my title says, REALTOR® I think I am much more than that. For example, I am present and actively listening to my client’s needs, on the spot when things are urgent, and by your side to say “congratulations.” Most of my clients will say that I am a connection away from support no matter the situation, day, or time. In my opinion, customer service, educating the client on progress and next steps, and overall satisfaction are my top priorities. How can I help you?
