Prepare your Oklahoma City Rental Home for Winter
It is important to prepare your Oklahoma City rental home for winter as winter preparation can help in lowering your energy bills and increasing the efficiency and lifespan of your home equipment. Here’s winter preparation checklist to help you keep your home warm in winter and save costs on energy bills.
Reverse the fans
- To save energy during winter, switch the direction of the ceiling blades to spin clockwise so that they can run on low speed, gently circulating warm air in the room.
Inspect and maintain your chimney
- While a chimney should be inspected and cleaned up by a professional at least once per year, it is important to have it inspected again before winter season begins. This maintenance ensures there’s no buildup or blockages that can increase the risk of fire and also helps to prevent carbon monoxide intrusion.
Check the water heater
- Inspect your water heater and consider lowering the temperature to between 120-140 Farenheit for comfort. A lower temperature not only saves you money on energy, it may also reduce wear and tear on the heater components.
Inspect the furnace
- To ensure the furnace is running smoothly, hire the services of HVAC professional to tune up the system before winter begins. You may also install a programmable thermostat that can automatically adjust the temperature when you’re not at home.
Check for drafts
- Another cost-effective way to save energy costs is to reduce drafts in your home. Apply weatherstripping window film and caulk to prevent heat loss around doors, windows and baseboards.
Use plush area rugs
- Install plush area rags and carpets on tile or hardwood floors so that they can help prevent heat from escaping through the floorboards. Rugs and carpets offer a layer of insulation keeping your room warm throughout the day.
Avoid burst pipes
- Cold weather is synonymous with burst water pipes due to water freezing inside them. To combat this problem, shut off the water to exterior faucets and drain the lines. Also, insulate any pipes near the exterior walls of your home.