Here in Texas, you generally don’t have to prepare your home for the ice, snow and extreme cold of winter like Northerners do. Nonetheless, even mild Texas winters can bring problems to your home, such as excess moisture, freezing, wasted electricity and home damage. Have a more comfortable and cost-effective winter with fewer home problems by carrying out these preparation tips in advance of seasonal weather.   

Block Winter Elements from Entering

Before the winter hits, go through your home to check for areas that are not properly secured or sealed. You’ll want to make sure that the winter weather won’t come in but also that your heat won’t escape. By keeping the wet, cold weather out, you’ll also cut down on mold and mildew that can accumulate in a Texas home.

This step means checking for drafts that are coming through windows and doors, finding animal entry holes into the attic and searching for gaps and holes in the attic. Fix the problems yourself or hire someone to caulk areas, seal holes, add weatherstripping and perform other measures that keep the home closed to the elements. 

Check Your HVAC System

You might need to turn on the heat for some of those chilly nights while you may still need the air conditioning for the hottest times of day. To be ready for every temperature a Texas winter can bring, make sure your HVAC system is in proper working order before the winter starts.

This is the right time to take care of any HVAC work you’ve been putting off or to get an inspection to make sure your system will continue to work efficiently throughout the season. Also, it’s smart to take care of regular cleaning and maintenance, such as cleaning the furnace and changing your air filter, before the beginning of winter weather. 

Prepare Your Exterior

Since we all know a Texas winter can get wet, make sure you clean your rain gutters to prepare for the possibility of excessive rain. Cleaning them can keep too much water from running down the house and getting inside. Plus, you can help keep the gutters from freezing and creating damage.

Also, it’s a good idea to remove dead or broken tree branches near the house before the winter hits. This step can prevent branches from hitting the house and creating damage if they get blown during a storm.

Create an Extra Layer of Protection

A major protective step you can take is to prepare the home for colder weather. Ways you can do this include adding insulation to the walls and attic if there is not enough, wrapping the water pipes with heat tape or insulation, and insulating the hot water heater. In addition to keeping your home and water warmer and preventing problems from low temperatures, these steps can save you money on your utility bills. 

For more helpful information on your HVAC system, or to schedule a service call, visit our website today.