Preparing Your Home for Winter Weather

Like it or not, the cold weather is here to stay – at least for the next few months. While the Carolinas don’t typically see too much in the way of snow (aside from the mountains), it’s not uncommon to have a few storms pass through. And even when it’s not snowing, chilly temperatures can still pose a risk. Make sure you and your home are prepared:

  • Schedule a routine service check for your HVAC system so you know it’s in good working order. The last thing you want is for it to stop working during a storm or especially cold night. Don’t forget to change out your air filters too.
  • Insulate windows and doors to keep the cold air out and the warm air in. You can do it yourself with some supplies from a home improvement store, or call a professional. Adding some extra insulation in your attic or installing an attic tent can help too.
  • Clean out your gutters of any debris that has gathered over the fall to allow rain and melting snow to freely flow. Consider installing leaf guards as an extra layer of protection.
  • Cover outdoor spigots to help prevent pipes from freezing. Disconnect any hoses and store them indoors where they’re out of the elements. Don’t forget to turn off irrigation or sprinkler systems for your yard as well.
  • If you have a fireplace, get the chimney cleaned and inspected. This will remove soot buildup and identify any cracks or other concerns before you add logs and build a fire.
  • Invest in a sturdy shovel and a few bags of salt. With cold temperatures, water can freeze very quickly leading to slippery, icy conditions. You want to have salt on hand to keep your driveway and sidewalk clear.
  • Stock up on some extra blankets, nonperishable food items, bottled water, and flashlights. You never know when a storm may knock out the electricity, so it’s better to be prepared.
  • Replace smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector batteries, especially if you’re running the heat, using space heaters, or have a fire going in the fireplace.
  • Keep curtains drawn in the evening to help keep the heat in. Switch your ceiling fan blades to run clockwise so they pull up cool air while pushing warm air down.

Taking the time to winterize your home can make your family more comfortable in the cold weather and help to reduce your electric bill. You’d be surprised at how sealing up even small cracks in insulation or replacing weather stripping can make a big difference. It doesn’t seem like much at first, but it can add up. These same strategies can be used for HOA amenities too such as business centers or clubhouses. Partner with a property management company such as Kuester for help communicating with homeowners and keeping the HOA running more efficiently all year round.

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Bryan Kuester

Bryan Kuester

Bryan is the CEO of Kuester Management Group. He has over 15 years of managing community associations throughout North and South Carolina.

His specialties include Community Association Management - maintenance, budgeting for operational and reserve funding, long-range planning, covenant enforcement, amenity management, onsite management, large scale management.

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