When winter comes and temperatures start to drop, many home owners begin to worry about what the cold weather will do to their home. The most common issues that home owners face are higher energy costs, burst water pipes, and drafty rooms causing families to be uncomfortable.
Properties with poor insulation in their attics lose a lot of heat through the roof. As the heat in the home rises it seeks out ways to escape. If the attic is not properly insulated heat can easily escape through unsealed connections in the joists and roof gaps. By insulating the attic to the recommended level of R30, homeowners keep the heat in their homes and as a result lower their overall utility costs and keep their furnaces in top working order for longer periods.
Properties with poor insulation can lead to thousands of dollars in water damage from burst pipes. The pipes that are most at risk are located in basements, attics and garages. Proper insulation in those areas can easily decrease your risk of burst pipes and high energy costs. Water freezes in pipes at just 20 degrees Fahrenheit. During winter months, most of the US reaches that temperature at one time or another. Burst pipes can damage not only your home but can also lead to lost possessions and life changing costs. Blown in insulation is an inexpensive way to upgrade your attic insulation and keep your home safe without blowing your home maintenance budget on just one project.
Consistent temperatures in your home help keep your family comfortable. To manage your home’s temperature, without the expense of heating an empty house, you can set your thermostat with a timer to increase and decrease the temperature based on your schedule without coming home to a cold environment.
Both the IBHS and the American Red Cross, which is in the business of emergency preparedness, have useful advice on how to prevent your pipes from freezing, as well as how to thaw them if they do.
Once the temperature starts to drop outside, there are some steps you can take to protect your home. If the temperature is going to drop below 20 degrees you can:
- Open kitchen and bathroom cabinets to allow the warm air from your heater to circulate around the pipes.
- Let cold water drip from each sink in your home.
- Keep your thermostat at a consistent temperature.
- Keep exterior doors closed and well-sealed.
For more information please check out this article on Consumerreports.org
