So How Should I Winterize My California Home? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The key is to stay warm and comfortable by keeping your toasty furnace air in your home and the cold air out. Complete basic annual maintenance chores<\/a> such as gutter cleaning and tree trimming to keep your home out of disrepair. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are some of the actions you should take this and every winter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It can be pretty tough waking up without a working furnace \u2014 even if you live in areas of the state that don\u2019t typically drop to freezing temperatures. And if you do live where freezing night temperatures are a more common occurrence, cracked water pipes could be the very unfortunate reality of a faulty furnace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n That\u2019s why it\u2019s good to get into the habit of having an HVAC technician perform an annual inspection. It\u2019s much better to find out you have a problem in, let\u2019s say, October\u202fthan in the middle of a frigid February night. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Try to schedule your inspection far enough in advance of the winter months that you won\u2019t have to vie with everyone else for your furnace tech\u2019s time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Leaky windows can be a real pain, even if your winters are relatively mild. No one wants to feel a draft in January, regardless of where you live. And if you live where it\u2019s colder, your energy bills<\/a> will be higher if your home isn\u2019t well insulated. That\u2019s because your furnace will have to work harder to keep you comfortable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Installing weather-stripping and insulation is usually fast and easy. You can check online videos showing how to do it effectively. As for the cost, it can be much less than what you might otherwise waste in energy bills. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Overhanging branches drop leaves in the fall and that blocks your gutters and downspouts. If local weather conditions get cold enough to bring on sleet, the ice that clumps on tree branches could bring limbs down and damage your shingles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Those overgrown tree limbs also help squirrels and other unwanted guests scamper onto your roof. They don\u2019t like to be cold in the winter any more than you do, so they seek out warmth and just might find ways into your home through the roof or fireplace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Even if you\u2019ve done a good job trimming branches so they don\u2019t grow overhead, you can get leaves in your gutter. If you don\u2019t clear them out, the water from rain and melted snow will be sidelined and might instead find a way between your walls. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This can be a hassle and even a safety risk if you have to get on tall ladders to handle gutters 30 feet in the air. If you\u2019re tired of making this an annual chore, consider investing in one of the various gutter guard systems on the market that will keep leaves and muck out of your gutters in the first place.<\/p>\n\n\n Your furnace might be brand new and in prime working condition, but you\u2019re not going to get the most from it if your air ducts are clogged. Bring in a professional air duct cleaner in the fall to get rid of the dust, hair, and other debris that will accumulate over time and possibly keep you from getting all of the toasty warmth that your furnace can provide. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You feel pretty proud during warm seasons when you can stay cool with only your ceiling fans instead of powering on your less energy-efficient central air conditioning. What you might not know is that you can save energy costs and stay comfy with your ceiling fans even in the dead of winter. That\u2019s because all you need to do is reverse the direction of the fan blades \u2014 from counter-clockwise to clockwise \u2014 to make the fan push down and circulate warmer air. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Depending on the kind of winter you\u2019re having \u2014 and where you live in the Golden State \u2014 you might be able to rely entirely on your reversed ceiling fan blades and not even turn on your furnace for extended periods of time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As you can see, there are several relatively easy and affordable steps you can take to winterize your home and stay affordably comfortable during California\u2019s coldest months. At Cost-U-Less Insurance, we care about how you and your family feel at home. That\u2019s why we offer a range of cost-effective house insurance products for California residents. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Don\u2019t hesitate to call us at (800) 390-4071<\/a> or stop in at the Cost-U-Less location near you<\/a>. You can even get a quick quote online<\/a> before you buy your new home or when you\u2019re considering changing home insurance coverage in California. <\/p>\n\n\n\nHave Your Furnace Inspected <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Install Weather-stripping If You Have Drafts <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Trim Tree Branches That Have Grown Over Your Roof <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Clean Your Gutters <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"man](\"https:\/\/www.costulessdirect.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/how-to-winterize-your-california-home-this-year.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nHave Your Air Ducts Cleaned <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Reverse Your Ceiling Fan Blade Direction <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Contact Cost-U-Less Insurance <\/h2>\n\n\n\n