Prepare Your Home’s Interior for Winter

Feel a chill in the air? That’s your cue to get your home winter-ready. Start with your home’s heating system and fireplace, and then take it from there. Winterizing your home not only takes the chill off, it also makes your house more energy-efficient. Luckily, it only takes a little effort and a trip to your local True Value hardware store for the quality products you need to get the job done right.

Our experts will help you with the advice and all the supplies you need to save money this winter. Get started with the steps below.

Give Your Furnace a Tune-Up

Your furnace will keep you comfortable during the months ahead, so take the time to prepare it for the extra winter workload.

• Remove any flammable materials from the area surrounding your furnace and air ducts before you begin.

Step 1. Clean Air Ducts and Humidifier
Before temperatures drop, clean ducts thoroughly with a high-powered vacuum that has a HEPA filter. This will prevent large amounts of dust from scattering all over your household. If your home has a forced-air furnace, have the ducts vacuumed regularly. For a furnace with a built-in humidifier, clean the humidifier with a descaler to make sure it's working properly.

Step 2. Seal Air Ducts
Many areas of your home's ductwork are susceptible to leak, especially along joints. These leaks let in unwanted cold air and decrease your heating system's efficiency. To seal a joint, use a cloth to wipe dust, oily film and grease from the ducts. Use a natural-bristle brush to coat the joint with a continuous strip of foam sealant and work it in. Spread at least one inch on each side of the joint. For more cold air protection, wrap ducts with pipe insulation.

• Purchasing a programmable thermostat will help you save energy during the winter.

Step 3. Care for Your Furnace
For oil-burning furnaces, you need to replace filters regularly to remove dust, pet dander and other harmful particles. After turning off the furnace and thermostats, locate the filter on the fuel line. Close the shutoff valve on the fuel line and use a large adjustable wrench to unscrew the filter's covering. Place a bucket lined with newspaper below to catch any overflow fuel. Take the filter cartridge to your local True Value hardware store and let our experts show you the right replacement. Before you install the new filter, clean the fuel line with a rag. Replace the filter and reinstall the covering. Re-open the shutoff valve and turn the unit on after a few minutes.

If you have a gas furnace, you should inspect it every year at the beginning of winter. Turn off the electricity and gas, and then vacuum the entire burner area. Clean the thermocouple with a cloth and use a precision duster with compressed air to clean the pilot light. Replace any disposable air filters and clean washable ones with mild detergent and water. Clean fan blades with a brush and lubricate the fan shaft. If the motor has oiling ports, apply a few drops of heavy-duty electric motor oil. Do not over-oil and do not use automotive motor oil or 3-in-1 household oil.

• When cleaning with compressed air, always wear protective goggles and a dust mask.

• To prevent frozen pipes, do not shut off the gas service when leaving home for long periods during the winter. Instead, leave the thermostat turned on at the lowest setting possible, typically between 50 and 60 degrees.

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Step 4. Use High-Efficiency Pleated Air Filters
With your furnace running during the long winter months, it's wise to use high-efficiency pleated air filters. These filters allow your furnace to pump cleaner air into your home. The pleated design increases the filter's surface area, capturing more lint, dust, pollen, mold and mildew. Pleated filters also need less frequent replacement than standard filters—usually every three months instead of monthly for regular filters.

Winterize the Rest of Your Home

Don't stop with just cleaning your furnace. Many other areas of your home are vulnerable to the cold of winter, wasting energy and money. Follow these steps for added protection against cold weather.

Step 1. Winterize Your Hot Water System
Insulate your hot water tank with a water heater blanket. For radiators, release trapped air by bleeding the valves—open them slightly until water appears.

It's not a good idea to turn off a water heater completely, even when leaving home for an extended period. Instead, turn the water heater's thermostat to the "vacation" setting. The pilot light will remain lit, maintaining a slightly warm water temperature within the unit until you return home.

Step 2. Insulate Exposed Piping
To provide maximum protection to vulnerable pipes, an automatic pipe-heating cable is a great addition to foam insulation. Before adding foam insulation, attach the cable to the pipe, either straight along or wrapped around the pipe, and connect it to the power supply.

Step 3. Install Storm Windows
If you have single-pane windows, remove screens and install storm windows before winter. Be sure to slide down both the top and bottom storms to help prevent heat loss. If they're stuck or hard to pull down, a little bit of WD-40 will lubricate them.

Step 4. Check Chimney and Fireplace
Examine your chimney each year for safety and good function. Make sure your chimney is clear of any nests from birds, squirrels or other animals. Check to see that the flue opens and closes fully and that it can be locked in the open or closed position. You should also check the chimney draft by lighting a fire to see that the chimney will draw smoke properly. If you have an obstruction, clean your chimney using special rods and brushes designed for this purpose.

If your fireplace is leaking air, cut a piece of fiberglass insulation and place it behind the fireplace doors to block cold air from coming down the chimney. Remember to remove it before building a fire. Additionally, check the fire brick in the fireplace for any open mortar joints. If you find any, have them repaired immediately; fire can spread through open joints into the wall.

Good work! You've winterized your home and can enjoy increased comfort, efficiency and safety through the long, cold months. Look to your local True Value hardware store for helpful advice to maintain your handiwork and fix any problems that come along over the winter.

For more projects, go to TrueValue.com. >

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