Winter prep for the home.

[palefrost]

The weather is changing here and i just bought my first house. What should i do to make sure it has a good winter. I am concerned about the heat bill and keeping my water pipes unfrozen. The last owner said some winters the pipes can freeze under the house. Does anyone have some tips or check lists i can pass on to my husband?

[brian]

I think one potential tip is to leave the heating on overnight, if you have central heating.

Sure, it can raise the bills but the key point here is to keep the heating relatively low when not in use - ie at night - as even that should help against freezing water pipes.

Also - possibly simpler - if you can identify which pipes may be at most risk, it's worth looking at insulating them.

[vicki2]

Yes, find the pipes with possible exposure ...like those closest to outside walls and wrap them yourself. It will help. I tend to keep my heat on very low all the time ...about 58F ...because I use fireplaces during the day. That temp will keep pipes from freezing unless it's a super cold night ...below 0F. Then, you leave the faucets with a little drip through the night so if the pipes do freeze, they won't burst.

[brian]

Ah - nice tip about the dripping. So long as you can stand the noise.

[vicki2]

put a sponge underneath the drip ...on super cold nights that dripping can save you some pipes lol

[mynameisCat]

There's lots of good lists out on the Net if you Google "freezing water pipes". I like the one at http://www.portlandonline.com/water/...=chegh&c=cjegj , very helpful. We just had a snowstorm two days ago here...a friend of mine had five feet of drifted snow in his driveway...

[vicki2]

That's a good list, but I did have to laugh at how easy they make draining the whole system seem. It never works out that easy!!! LOL.

[brian]

IF you do leave the heating on, do watch out on your heating bills - *especially* if the gas/electric company sends you estimated bills.

After moving out, where all the bills we're estimated, a proper reading just led to my being hit with a £500 bill correction.

Wasn't entirely unexpected, actually, as saw the real meter readings when we moved out - but next time I'll keep a much closer eye on the estimated vs real meter readings.

[juol7]

Seal Leaks around Doors and Windows

• Add or replace worn weather-stripping around doors and windows.
• Caulk gaps where necessary.
• Replace worn door stops at the bottom of doors.
• If you have them, install storm doors and windows. Don't forget to winterize basement windows.
• Replace old windows with energy efficient windows.

Seal Other Leaks

• Use caulking and weather-stripping around entry points for all pipes and ducts that travel through an exterior wall.
• Install insulating kits behind electrical plugs that are on a wall with an exterior side.

Proper attic insulation keeps your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.

hope this could help out a bit

[fitnessk]

Those were great tips. Thanks for providing the details. There are ways to make your house do well in the winter months.