Around Your Home

1. Your furnace is working overtime these days to keep an even temperature in your home. Help it do its job by cleaning air registers, baseboard heaters and radiators. Cleaning these regularly can boost the efficiency of your heating system by 10 per cent. Clean or replace the furnace filter every month. Seal air ducts with duct tape to increase the efficiency of your heating system (use metal duct tape, not the cloth kind.)

2. Reduce fire risk by keeping the chimney clean during the heating season. Minimize creosote build-up by burning dry, well-seasoned wood, burning a brisk fire for at least part of every time you use your fireplace and opening the damper a half hour before lighting the fire to warm the chimney and improve the draw.

3. Temperature fluctuations put a strain on your home’s roofing system. Check interior ceilings near outside walls for staining caused by moisture damage. Watch for flooding or moisture damage in the basement. Check basement walls for signs of cracking and moisture damage. Check the hidden corners of your basement for signs of flooding.

4. Prevent excess humidity from causing damage in the home by keeping your humidistat below 40 per cent. Watch for condensation and damp areas on walls or ceilings.

5. Conserve electricity this winter – Turning your thermostat down just one degree can save you three per cent of the energy your furnace uses. Every few months, take off the cover of your thermostat and gently dust. Recommended settings are 21 degrees when you are at home relaxing, 18 degrees when you are sleeping and 16 degrees when you are at work or away.

6. Periodically check the gas meter at the side of the house for snow and ice build-up.

7. Keep your walkways safe for visitors by using an ice melter.

Courtesy: Homeservice Club