5 Tips To Winterize Your NJ Home

January 9th, 2015

Okay, New Jersey – it’s safe to say winter is fully upon us, because it is COLD out there! In light of the freezing temperatures we’ll be experiencing over the next few weeks (and possibly – perish the thought – upcoming months), here are 10 surefire ways to winterize your home right here in NJ.

1. Seal the drafts: According to the US Department of Energy, drafts can waste up to 30% of your home’s energy use! So be sure to seal up drafty doors and window gaps with homemade or store-purchased “draft snakes” to keep the warm in, and the cold out.

2. Replace/clean furnace filters: Always clean your furnace filters once a month during the col season. Dirty or blocked up filters can hinder heating airflow.

3. Reserve your fan: Clockwise rotation makes airflow warmer, as warm air pooled near the ceiling is circulated back into the room.

4. Winterize your A/C & water lines: Drain any hoses and air conditioning pipes, and make sure you don’t have excess water pooled in the equipment. Also, shut off any water valves.

5. Turn down the water heater: Most water heaters are automatically set to 140 degrees by installers, but many homes don’t need that much steam! Lowering the temperature to 120 degrees (or lower) can reduce your water heating costs tremendously.

Stay warm out there, New Jersey!