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September 22, 2016

How to Protect Your Building Investment: Prepare Your Home or Building for Winter

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As weather turns cooler, it’s important to protect your home or building investment from wasted money and damage. With heating accounting for nearly half of the average home or building owner’s energy bill, improving efficiency can save thousands of dollars over time.The biggest problems that can be faced from not properly winterizing their home or building include:

  • Drafts from improper insulation
  • Frozen pipes
  • HVAC and chimney failure
  • Clogged gutters or damaged shingles causing water to overflow onto the building and foundation

Building owners can prevent this from happening with these four tips:

1. Insulation and sealing

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, drafts can waste 5% to 30% of your energy use. Walls, doors, windows, crawl spaces and attics should be properly insulated with special attention to the plumbing supply lines. At least annually, perform filter changes, duct cleanings and coil and heat exchanger maintenance. Seal up gaps and cracks to prevent pest intruders.

2. Water Supply

Homes and buildings often have exterior hose bibs (outside faucets) to provide water for the outside. Disconnect all gardening hoses. If you plan to be away from your home or building for an extended period, keep the temperature at 68 and shut off water supply valves to your washing machine. Plant the seed early as prior planning prevents future pain points.

3. Thermostat

Trip your thermostat into heat mode to make sure that the system will respond appropriately before the temperature plummets. This will allow you time in advance to service it. For chimneys, check and verify that it’s ready to burn wood. If an HVAC system is old and in need of replacing, what advice can Hickory Construction provide?

4. Gutters

Gutters are important to the overall health of a home or building. They ensure that water flows away from your home so that it can’t do any damage. If it’s clogged, it can’t do its job. Clean gutters and inspect for damaged shingles before it’s too late.

 

For more information on how to protect your building investment, watch our monthly WBIR interviews. If you’re interested in a renovation or new build, contact us here.

 

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