green bee buzz

Welcome to Green Bee Realty's monthly column —Green Bee Buzz. Every month, we deep-dive into a sustainability-related topic, from the built environment to nature. No subject is off-limits as long as it's green!

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november 2024

Get Your Home Ready for Winter: Essential HVAC and Winterization Tips

As November settles in and temperatures begin to drop, many across the country are gearing up for winter. Between preparing for the holidays, adjusting to shorter days and daylight saving time, and meeting work and school deadlines, it's easy to overlook some important tasks around the house. One of those tasks? Ensuring your HVAC system is ready to keep you warm through the colder months — and winterizing your home to avoid costly or even dangerous situations.

By taking a few simple steps now, you can save money, avoid potential issues, and ensure your home stays comfortable and safe all winter long. Here's a checklist of essential maintenance tasks to get your home winter-ready:

1. Schedule Furnace Maintenance

Before the cold weather sets in, it's important to have your furnace serviced by a professional. A well-maintained furnace will not only run more efficiently but will also help maintain comfort levels in your home throughout the winter. Regular service checks can help identify and resolve issues like clogged burners, worn-out parts, or dirty coils.

More importantly, neglecting furnace maintenance could lead to dangerous problems, such as a cracked heat exchanger. A cracked heat exchanger can cause carbon monoxide to leak into your home's air, which is a serious safety hazard. Scheduling an annual furnace inspection can help prevent this potentially life-threatening situation.

2. Change Your Air Filters

Changing your air filters is a simple yet essential task for keeping your HVAC system running smoothly. Ideally, air filters should be changed every 1–3 months, depending on usage. If you have pets, suffer from allergies, or live in a dusty environment, you may need to change filters more frequently.

Dirty filters not only reduce air quality but can also cause your heating system to work harder than necessary. This leads to inefficiencies and higher energy bills. In some cases, a clogged filter can even cause the system to fail completely. By replacing your filters regularly, you can improve air quality, boost system efficiency, and extend the lifespan of your HVAC unit.

3. Winterize Your Home

Winterizing your home is another crucial step in preparing for the colder months. Here are a few quick tips to help protect your home from freezing temperatures:

• Shut off outdoor water valves to prevent pipes from freezing.

• Disconnect and drain garden hoses to avoid potential water damage.

• Blow out sprinkler systems to protect the pipes from freezing and bursting.

These simple steps can save you from costly repairs and keep your home safe during the winter.

By taking a little time now to check and maintain your HVAC system and winterize your home, you can avoid major headaches later. Not only will your home be more comfortable, but you'll also save money on energy bills and reduce the risk of unexpected breakdowns. Don't wait until the first freeze hits — get ahead of the cold with these easy maintenance tips!

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