For Utah residents, no other season requires more advanced preparation than winter. The snowy scenery may be beautiful, but you won’t get to enjoy it if your pipes freeze, you need emergency furnace repairs, or you haven’t stocked up on enough emergency supplies. Winter can be dangerous, and it’s important to prepare ahead of time.
Here are the five most important steps to take.
1. Prevent Your Pipes from Freezing
Frozen pipes can burst during the winter, which can cause thousands of dollars in damage. While the long-term solution is to install better insulation, wrapping your pipes in foam rubber, heat tape, and fiberglass sleeves are excellent short-term options.
2. Have Your Furnace Professionally Inspected
A furnace is the cornerstone of every home heating system; your home will freeze without a fully functioning furnace. Your furnace should undergo yearly maintenance so you can make the needed furnace repairs ahead of time.
Once the temperatures drop, take the additional precautionary steps of covering the AC condenser and cleaning your vents and filters.
3. Reverse Ceiling Fan Blades
Fans keep you cool in the summer, but did you know they can also keep you warm during the winter? The key is to reverse the direction the blades rotate—most fans have a switch. Warm air rises, so by having your fan rotate clockwise, you can ensure the warm air moves downward.
4. Get Out Winter and Emergency Supplies
Make sure your emergency supplies and winter equipment are easily accessible in an emergency. At a minimum, your emergency kit should include:Â
- Flashlights
- Candles
- Lighters
- Propane lanterns
- Batteries
- Fire extinguishers
- A first aid kit
5. Seal Your Doors and Windows
If you notice that your doors and windows are extra cold or you feel a draft, you may need to (re)seal them. Heat can escape through even the tiniest of cracks, so to keep your house warm and your energy costs down, use caulk to repair cracks around doors, windows, and even electrical outlets.Â
Start Preparing Now
Budget for home repairs in advance. Utah winters can arrive suddenly, so work to complete essential maintenance before that dreaded first snowfall or blizzard.
