Winter storms in Dayton can be formidable. Even though average winter temperatures in recent years have been somewhat warmer, we can still have crippling blizzards that send temperatures plummeting and that cover us with snow and ice for days. It’s a wise homeowner who makes sure that the home and the furnace are ready for the next winter storm.
Here are some tips for how to be prepared for the worst that Mother Nature can deal out to Dayton homeowners in the form of that next winter storm.
- Schedule winter HVAC maintenance. Call for fall maintenance on your HVAC system prior to the arrival of cold weather. During an inspection, your HVAC tech should replace worn-out parts so that you’re less likely to have a breakdown when a storm is raging. Fall maintenance should include the following: Inspect the burners to make sure the flame is burning blue rather than yellow and that the burners are clean; inspect the heat exchanger for cracks; change the air filter; inspect electrical connections, replacing worn wires; inspect gas connections; check the flue and chimney; check and clean the blower; test gas pressure; test the thermostat and controls; and check voltage and current.
- Air-seal your home. You can help your furnace function more efficiently by air-sealing minute cracks that let warm air out and cold air in. Hold a lit incense stick next to baseboards, window and door frames; recessed lighting; attic hatches; electric switch plates; and where there are holes to the home’s exterior for pipes, cables, and wiring. If the smoke wavers, there’s a leak. Correct it with insulation, weatherstripping, or caulk.
- Insulate pipes. Pipes in exterior walls can be vulnerable to freezing when the temperature plummets and that next winter storm arrives. Wrap insulation around there nearly exposed pipes.
- Check into acquiring a generator. Discuss with your HVAC consultant the benefits of a generator that’s hard-wired into your home’s electrical panel so that you can power essential appliances and lights even when the municipal power goes off.
To learn more about preparing for the next winter storm, contact Ace Hardware Home Services. We serve Dayton and the surrounding area.
