As winter approaches, it's essential to take steps to ensure your home is in top shape to handle the season's colder temperatures. Here’s a helpful guide with simple, yet important, actions to keep your home warm, safe, and energy-efficient during winter.
Essential Winter Preparation Checklist
Furnace Check: Test your furnace early to ensure it’s blowing warm air. If you encounter any issues, ATCO Gas provides a free diagnostic service to check gas appliances, including your furnace, fireplace, and water heater. They’ll diagnose any problems but won’t perform repairs, making it a useful starting point.
Winterize Outdoor Taps: Prevent frozen pipes by shutting off outside water from inside and draining the lines.
Irrigation System: Consider hiring a professional to blow out your irrigation lines and prevent damage. This usually costs around $80 but ensures your pipes stay intact during freezing temperatures.
Tips for Properties with Tenants
If you’re renting out your property, confirm with your tenants that these steps are done, or visit to handle them yourself.
If You’re Traveling this Winter
If you’ll be away, take extra precautions:
Set your furnace to 16°C.
Turn off the water main and drain pipes to avoid frozen water lines.
Use a Wi-Fi thermostat to monitor temperatures remotely.
Arrange for a trusted person to check on your home regularly, as some insurance policies require physical checks to maintain coverage.
Final Thought: I'm here to support you. Reach out with any questions or for further guidance on keeping your home winter-ready.