Make Your Home Winter Ready.mp4

Take some time this fall to ensure a warm home this winter with these simple steps:

Seal drafts: Use door sweeps, weather-stripping or caulk to close spaces around exterior doors or windows. Caulk or apply tacky rope caulk to drafty spots. Install outlet gaskets in electrical outlets that share a home's outer walls. Seal outside leaks with weather-resistant caulk or masonry sealer for brick.

Insulate walls and attics.

Check the heat: Turn your heat on now, to make sure it's working, before the bitter cold weather descends.

Make sure your heating ducts are well connected and insulated. Repair places where pipes are pinched, which impedes flow of heated air to the house, and fix gaps with a metal-backed tape (duct tape actually doesn't stand up to the job over time).

Install storm windows or use a window insulation kit to cover windows with plastic sheeting from the inside.

Inspect chimneys and fireplaces before use.

Reverse ceiling fans: By reversing its direction, the fan will push warm air downward.

Run generators outside. Open windows and fans do not provide enough ventilation to prevent carbon monoxide build-up.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• City of Philadelphia
• Home Winterization Tips
• Insulate Your Home
• Keep Your Home Warm
• Home Heating
• Edward J. Vassallo
• Ready Philadelphia
• Winter Ready
• Seal drafts
• Storm Windows
• Chimneys
• Fireplace
• Ceiling Fans
• Generators