If you haven’t already prepped your Jersey Shore home for this winter weather, there is no time like now. Better late than never when it comes to winterizing your home. Cooler weather and increased precipitation leads to higher utility bills and a potential for burst pipes if you haven’t prepared your Jersey Shore home.
1. Furnace Serviced
Don’t wait for your furnace to stop working on the coldest night of the year to have it serviced. Have your furnace serviced annually by a professional.
2.Insulate Your Pipes
To help your home’s pipes stand up to the cold weather consider insulating them. You can raise the water temperature up to 4 degrees by insulating your pipes according to Energy.gov. Also, be sure to protect your pipes by disconnecting all your outdoor hoses. Drain the hoses and store them until spring.
3.Gutter Maintenance
Fall causes lots of leaves and debris to build up in your home’s gutters and, if they are not cleaned out, could result in ice dams forming and leading to water finding its way into your home. Remove all debris from your gutter and downspouts to keep your home’s roof functioning properly.
4.Window AC Units
If your home has AC window units, the ducted openings can lead to cold air making its way into your home. If you choose to leave your units in year-round take this time to clear them of any debris and cover with a tarp or specialty cover. Now would be a good time to also apply a layer of new caulk around the windows of your home to help keep warm air in and the cold air out.
5.Ceiling Fan Rotation
It may seem a bit odd to use your home’s ceiling fans during the winter, but many fans today are designed to be used year-round. During the winter months change your ceiling fans to turn clockwise and run at a low speed. This will create an updraft that will result in warm air that has risen to the ceiling to circulate down into your living space.
If buying or selling a home along the Jersey Shore this winter is something you are considering, we’d be delighted to take the time to show you potential homes and to answer any questions you may have about living on the New Jersey shore or owning a second home. Our job is to make your tomorrow better than today. Contact us today via email or give us a call at 609-264-6762.
