Heat and Energy Savings during winter season

Heat and Energy Savings during winter season

Check the furnaces in your properties. Be sure they are safe and operational. Furnace filters should be changed regularly. Remove any items stored near the furnace and be sure air ducts and return vents are not obstructed.

Make fireplaces safe for cozy fires during the winter. Fireplaces should be swept to remove soot and debris. Be sure a metal screen or fireplace doors are used to prevent embers from drifting out of the firebox.

Stop Drafts

Prevent the icy winds from blowing through your properties and help your tenants save energy. As winter approaches, it's time to convert to storm windows and doors rather than summer screens. Look for cracks, test for drafts and add caulking and weatherstripping to problem areas so cold air does not seep in. Add insulation to your properties in the attic and insulate electrical covers so that your homes don't leak warm air.

Here are some tips to help you become more efficient and safe when heating your properties:

• Caulk and weather-strip windows and doors

• Set thermostats in vacant units to a minimum of 55 degrees Fahrenheit

• Remind tenants to never use an oven to heat a home

• Turn off portable heaters when leaving a room or going to bed

Utilizing these tips can save money on the amount of heat used during cold winter months. By keeping cold air out, heating systems can operate more effectively and efficiently. These tips also help with reducing the likelihood of an unnecessary fire, which can literally be a life-saver.

Tips for Rodent-Proofing

Rodent-proofing

For dealing with keeping rodents such as mice and rats out of your house during the cold season, the following tips can be helpful:

• Sealing any openings that mice or rats could fit into

• Making sure all food is sealed and stored away

• Regularly take the trash out and ensure that cans are sealed

• Make sure your properties are kept clean and organized

Many of these tips might be redundant or things you already do, but really emphasizing these tips right before and throughout the winter will ensure you don’t have any uninvited guests showing up during the holiday season—and I’m referring to mice, not your in-laws. Now that we know plenty of good tips on winterizing the inside of properties, how can you winterize the outside?

Tips for Heavy Snowfall

IIBHS also created some tips for outdoor winterization safety, particularly about how to prepare for heavy snowfall. Heavy snowfall cannot only damage your roof, but it can cause serious risk or injury to residents. Tips for avoiding snow buildup and recommended best practices and tools are:

• Use de-icing materials, snow rakes, and draglines to remove snow from rooftops

• Before stepping on a roof, identify hazardous fall spots like skylights, roof drains, and vents

• Before removing snow, assess the weight of the snow, uniformly remove it and avoid making big piles

• Wear warm safety and protection equipment and clothing and stay hydrated while working

• Wear a safety harness and use ropes or winches to lift snow removal equipment like snow blowers and other heavy tools

Utilizing these tips ahead of time can save you from problems like frozen pipes, mice infestations, fires, icy sidewalks, and injuries. Be sure to take the necessary steps needed to winterize your properties and stop winter before it starts.