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Check Your Heating System Early

  //house-home.news-articles.net/content/2025/11/25/check-your-heating-system-early.html
  Published in House and Home on Tuesday, November 25th 2025 at 8:36 GMT by ABC12

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How to Prepare Your Home for the Coming Cold Snap – A Quick Guide

When the first chilly winds start blowing, many homeowners jump straight to the heater. Yet, a cold‑weather‑ready home is about more than just turning up the thermostat. The ABC 12 article “Preparing Your Home for Cold Weather” dives deep into the practical steps you can take to keep your house safe, efficient, and comfortable through the winter months. Below is a comprehensive summary of the key points, plus extra context gleaned from the linked resources within the piece.

1. Check Your Heating System Early

The article opens with a strong recommendation to schedule a furnace inspection before the temperature dips below freezing. Local HVAC technician Mark Jensen, quoted in the piece, emphasizes that a clean and well‑maintained furnace can cut heating costs by up to 20 %. Key actions include:

• Inspect the blower motor for unusual noise or vibration.
• Clean the air filter or replace it if it’s more than three months old.
• Verify the thermostat’s settings and consider upgrading to a programmable model for better energy savings.
• Call a professional for a yearly tune‑up to ensure optimal performance and to catch potential safety issues like gas leaks.

The article links to ABC 12’s “Furnace Troubleshooting Guide,” which expands on how to read furnace error codes and when to call for a repair.

2. Seal Air Leaks and Insulate

Cold drafts can increase heating bills by up to 25 %. The ABC 12 piece advises homeowners to:

• Use weather stripping or caulk around doors and windows.
• Add insulation to attics, crawl spaces, and basements—especially if the current R‑value is below the recommended standard for your region.
• Check for gaps around pipes and vents that enter the house, sealing them with foam or insulated sleeves.

An illustrated diagram from the article shows common leak points, and a linked segment titled “Insulation 101” provides step‑by‑step guidance on measuring R‑value and selecting the right insulation type (fiberglass, blown‑in cellulose, or spray foam).

3. Protect Your Plumbing

Frozen pipes can burst, causing expensive damage. The article lists several preventive measures:

• Keep indoor water heaters and radiators in rooms where the temperature stays above 50 °F.
• Insulate exposed pipes with foam sleeves, especially in attics, basements, or crawl spaces.
• Install a pipe heat tape on the longest, most exposed runs of pipe.
• Turn off outdoor faucets and disconnect garden hoses; store them indoors.

The piece links to the “Winter Plumbing FAQ” page, which details how to properly drain a faucet, identify hidden leaks, and use a pipe locator for hard‑to‑see pipes.

4. Roof, Gutters, and Chimney Maintenance

A healthy roof and chimney reduce heat loss and guard against water damage.

• Inspect the roof for missing, cracked, or loose shingles. The article includes a quick visual checklist and warns that even a single missing shingle can allow snow and ice to accumulate in the eaves.
• Clean gutters and downspouts to prevent ice dams. Ice dams form when melted snow refreezes at the roof edge; clogged gutters can trap water that seeps into the attic.
• Check the chimney for blockages and ensure proper draft. The article quotes chimney sweep Emily Ruiz, who recommends a professional inspection before using the fireplace and to install a chimney cap to keep out debris and animals.

A linked tutorial titled “DIY Chimney Cleaning” outlines how to use a chimney brush and vacuum, but stresses that the chimney should be sealed after cleaning to prevent drafts.

5. Electrical Safety

Cold weather can increase the load on your electrical system as more appliances run simultaneously. The article stresses:

• Inspect all outlets and switches for signs of wear or damage.
• Avoid overloading power strips—use them only for devices that need a dedicated circuit.
• Check the main breaker panel for any “soft” or “popping” breakers; these can be a sign of an impending failure.
• Replace old extension cords and use cordless tools where possible to reduce overheating risks.

A quick reference chart in the piece matches the recommended amperage for common appliances and warns against the hazards of using extension cords on high‑power devices.

6. Create an Emergency Kit

Finally, the article underscores the importance of having a winter emergency kit. Suggested items include:

• Extra blankets and warm clothing.
• A battery‑powered or hand‑crank radio.
• Sufficient food and water supplies to last at least 48 hours.
• A flashlight, spare batteries, and a first‑aid kit.
• Basic tools such as a hammer, screwdrivers, and pliers.
• An ice scraper and a snow brush for clearing driveways and walkways.

The linked “Winter Storm Preparedness Checklist” provides a printable PDF and advises to keep the kit in an accessible, insulated spot near the heating system.

7. Additional Resources and Tips

ABC 12’s article references a few other helpful resources:

• The “Home Energy Audit” guide explains how to perform a simple audit with a handheld meter, allowing homeowners to identify which rooms lose the most heat.
• Local utility companies’ rebate programs are mentioned; many offer free insulation assessments or discounted furnace installations for qualifying households.
• Neighborhood watch coordination is suggested for checking on elderly neighbors who may need assistance with winterizing tasks.

Bottom Line

Preparing your home for cold weather is a multi‑layered process that goes beyond cranking up the furnace. By inspecting your heating system, sealing drafts, insulating the building envelope, protecting plumbing, maintaining the roof, chimney, and gutters, and ensuring electrical safety, you’ll not only reduce energy costs but also safeguard against costly damage. And, as the ABC 12 article reminds us, being proactive—especially before the first frost—offers the best protection against the unpredictable forces of winter.

So, start today: gather those weather stripping kits, schedule that furnace tune‑up, and turn your home into a resilient winter haven. Happy heating!