News
BY DUSTIN BUTLER
How homeowners can prepare their property for winter
Though Texans experienced a warmer than average fall, according to the National Weather Service, experts are reminding Dallas-Fort Worth residents that winter is around the corner and is expected to bring freezing weather to the region. According to the National Weather Service, the region experiences 29 freeze days on average every year. Freezing temperatures typically begin in November and can last through March. David Whitson, service manager for Colony AC, an HVAC maintenance company, said that homeowners should take steps to winterize their homes prior to freezing weather. The overview Whitson said one of the most important reasons why homeowners should winterize their homes is energy efficiency, adding that poor insulation and air leaks can lead to increased energy bills. “Properly insulating your home and sealing air gaps so you can retain heat ... is probably one of
the biggest reasons for winterizing your home,” Whitson said. It’s important to winterize a home to help avoid frozen water pipes, Whitson said, noting that external water pipes are especially at risk. The specifics When it comes to winterizing, Whitson said it’s important for homeowners to have their heating system checked by professionals to help prevent system failures. “Not only can it fail, during those times when you have failure ... [heating and AC companies] are busy and it may be a few days ... before somebody can get out to your house to look at your heater,” Whitson said. “Then you may experience the frozen pipes and all the other things that go along with it.” Whitson recommends a professional inspect the heating and cooling systems twice a year, once before summer and once before winter, but
Top tips David Whitson said homeowners can take steps to help prevent damage to homes and maintain energy efficiency during freezing temperatures.
Allow faucets to drip and open cabinet doors below sinks
Cover outdoor water spigots
Change air filters at the beginning of every season
SOURCE: COLONY AC/COMMUNITY IMPACT
said that it is more critical to check the heating systems. “Being warm is a little uncomfortable,” Whitson said. “Being cold and freezing is deadly, or at least it can be.”
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