Home Maintenance Musts for This Bitter Cold Weather

Furnace and thermostat:

--Today would be a great day to change your furnace filter if you haven’t done it in awhile!  A dirty filter is especially problematic in extremely low temperatures when your furnace is already working its hardest.

--Do NOT set your thermostat back at night or when you leave. It will not be able to recover in the extreme cold. Leave it on the same temperature 24 hours a day.

--Leave your blower set in the “on” position. (Not “auto”). This will allow more even air distribution in your house. Warm air rises, cold air falls. You want the warm air to be down where you are. Not the ceiling.

--Check thermostats.  Although this might seem like common knowledge it is sometimes overlooked by a worried homeowner. Most programmable thermostats will flash a 'low battery' indication to change the batteries soon.

Your water pipes inside:

--Keep cabinet and vanity doors that are located on outside walls open to let the warmer room temperature flow in.

--Have just a trickle of water running to keep water moving through your pipes.  This is not going to cost you much more on your bill and it’s a cheaper alternative than having to repair broken pipes from freezing.

--Pipes in unheated basements or crawl spaces can be wrapped with pieces of insulation. Don't overlook pipes near windows, which can quickly freeze. For particularly difficult pipes, consult a professional on how to select and apply heat tape.

--Know the location of your main water shut-off valve. If a pipe breaks, you won't want to have to find it then or, worse, wait for someone to arrive at your place to find it for you. In most single-family homes, the shut-off valve is in the basement or the crawlspace, on a wall facing the street.  If you had a home inspection done when you bought your house, the report should show the location of your water shut-off.

Outside maintenance:

--Ensure the furnace air intake and exhaust on the side of your house are clear of snow.  Same for the dryer vent exhaust pipe. If any of these cannot vent properly, they could cause a carbon monoxide problem in your home.

--If you have an attached garage, keep its doors shut. Occasionally, plumbing is routed through this unheated space, leaving it vulnerable.

If you are not going to be home for several days:

--Shut water off at the property owner’s cut-off valve.

--Drain all outside water faucets.

--Open cabinet doors under sinks adjacent to outside walls.

--Keep your thermostat set above 55 degrees while gone.

Side note: Dress warmly. Furnaces are powerful, but they can only handle a specific difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures. When it’s bitterly cold out, your home might be colder than usual. Be sure to dress warm and use blankets to stay comfortable until the weather warms up a bit.