Des Moines is the capital of Iowa and the most populous city in the state. Iowa has a humid continental climate, which means hot, sunny summer and cold, snowy winter. So if you live in Des Moines, you must be concerned about the upcoming winter months.
Some homeowners are often carried away by the fun and excitement of Christmas and New Year that they forget to prepare for winter. Don’t make that mistake and end up paying more for the things you could have done easily and almost free.
Winterizing your home is a necessity that happens every year. In fact, it is estimated that about 50 percent of the household utility bills of the homeowners in Iowa goes to heating and cooling of their homes. This is why it is better for you to winterize your home ahead before the winter season properly commence. This way, you will be able to save money on heating your home.
Tips for winterizing your home
1. Inspect your furnace and heating system
As the winter approaches, make sure you have your furnace and heating system inspected by a professional. This will ensure that these appliances are working effectively and safely. As you already know, the slightest problem with your heating system can be hazardous to your health and wellbeing. So call Kohles & Bach today to schedule your $69 fall furnace cleaning.
2. Find and fix air leaks
Worn or damaged portions on your door or window can proffer an escape route for heat. It can reduce the efficiency of your heating system and even make it consume more energy. Spot every air leaks in your home and fix properly. More so, install new weather-stripping caulk around windows, doors and other areas leading to the outside. Don’t neglect your external electric cable outlets also.
3. Inspect your windows
Of course, windows bring illumination to the home and also provide a path for the greatest loss of heat from your home. If your windows are considerably aged, you should think of installing the newly-improved insulating windows system.
4. Clean the gutters
Dirt and leaves may have collected and accumulated along your gutter and waterways through the autumn. These particles can clog up waterways and cause ice dams in winter near your home. These can cause serious water damage to your roof and shingles if they are not attended to.
5. Close the fireplace flue
If you use a fireplace in your home, you should seal off the outlets that will not be in use during the winter. Outlets like chimneys are designed to suck air off the home. This can suck away a great amount of heat out of your house quickly. Seal of the flue and other idle openings. If you have a gas fireplace, schedule your fall fireplace cleaning with Kohles & Bach.
6. Wrap your pipes near exterior walls
Pipes located near the exterior walls or crawl spaces have the highest risk of freezing during the cold winter season. If you have those pipes, wrap them with insulating materials to prevent them from major damages.
Bottom line
The winter in Des Moines, Iowa, is particularly cold and snowy. If you have a home in Iowa, you may want to prepare effectively ahead for the winter season.
Winterizing your home is a necessity as it keeps you away from the major troubles of the winter season. In addition to the above tips, you should consider hiring the service of a professional as you prepare for the winter.
Meanwhile, ensure you have enough supply of salt and sand, as well as a shovel and a backup heating source.