Check List for Winterizing Your Home:
- Air conditioner exterior unit/ Swamp cooler: Install a cover to minimize weathering and keep out debris. Swamp coolers should also have the water supply line shut off and the water drained to prevent freezing, burst lines and possible water damage.
- Furnace/ boiler: Clean the exterior. Don’t forget to change the filter regularly! Have your furnace cleaned and inspected by an heating, cooling and air conditioning (HVAC) contractor every 2-3 years. Have your boiler cleaned/ inspected by an HVAC contractor annually.
- Whole house fan: Install an insulated cover in your attic over the fan to prevent loss of heat - otherwise the fan is just a large hole in your attic insulation.
- Sprinkler system: blow out the sprinkler lines, and leave all exterior valves set at 45 degree angle to avoid trapping water, which can freeze and break the valves. (Detailed instructions from the CSU website here: http://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/home-sprinkler-systems-preparing-your-sprinkler-system-for-winter-4-719/)
- Exterior spigots: disconnect any hoses from exterior spigots to prevent freezing and broken pipes and water damage inside the home. Insulated covers can be installed, but are not needed if the spigots are the newer, “frost-free” type which can generally be identified by knobs that are parallel to the side of the home, indicating that they turn a valve that is within the interior of the wall. Spigots with that are at an angle to the wall will likely turn a valve that is outside of the home and susceptible to freezing. These spigots should either have the water turned off or have insulated covers installed.
- Windows: remove window screens and store them inside.
- North facing decks: shovel or sweep snow from your north facing decks, as extended moisture exposure is the primary cause of decking and structure deterioration.
- Gas fireplaces: vacuum the controls area under the fireplace, then turn on gas and light pilot (if so equipped). Have the fireplace cleaned and inspected by a fireplace contractor every 2-3 years.
De-winterization
- Air Conditioning unit: remove the cover and clean the AC unit. (Instructions from the DIY network here: http://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/maintenance-and-repair/cleaning/10-easy-steps-to-keep-your-air-conditioning-unit-running-smooth)
(have HVAC contractor clean and inspect every 2-3 years)
- Swamp cooler - remove the cover, clean the filter, turn the water back on to the supply line and check for leaks
- Wood burning stove/ fireplace/ pellet stove: Remove soot and clean the firebox. (Instructions from Brightnest here: https://brightnest.com/todos/clean-your-wood-burning-fireplace) Have a fireplace contractor clean and inspect every 2-3 years.
- Whole house fan: remove the insulated cover and clean the interior (while the fan’s circuit breaker is shut off).
- Sprinkler system: turn on the exterior valves slowly before turning on the main water valve and sprinkler controls
- Windows: clean windows, clean and re-install the screens
- Gas fireplace: turn off the gas to the fireplace, which saves money on your gas bill if your fireplace has a pilot light, and helps to prevent leaks.