Getting Your Home Ready for a Cold Snap

Whether you live where winters bring regular snow or somewhere that sees only an occasional freeze, cold snaps can be hard on a home. Pipes burst, heating systems fail at the worst moment and drafts send utility bills climbing. A bit of preparation now can save you money and stress later.

Keep the Cold Air Out

Drafty windows and doors make your heating system work harder and leave rooms uncomfortable. Start with a quick walk-through:

• Feel for air movement around window frames, door edges and outlets on exterior walls.
• Re-caulk gaps around windows and trim.
• Replace worn weatherstripping and add door sweeps where you can see daylight.
• Use window insulation film or heavier curtains for extra protection on cold nights.

If your windows are old, single-pane or failing, it may be time to consider replacements. Newer energy-efficient windows can make a real difference in comfort and heating costs, and in some areas they add storm protection too.

Service Your Heating System Early

The best time to have your furnace or heat pump checked is before you need it. During a cold spell, HVAC companies get swamped, wait times stretch out and emergency calls often cost more.

A technician can clean components, check for safety issues like gas leaks or carbon monoxide risks, and spot worn parts before they fail. Regular maintenance also helps your system run more efficiently and may extend its life. Between visits, replace filters on schedule and keep vents clear of furniture.

Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors too, especially if you use gas heat, a fireplace or space heaters.

Know Your Home’s Emergency Controls

When something goes wrong, minutes matter. Make sure everyone in the household knows where these are and how they work:

1. Main water shutoff: If a pipe freezes and bursts, shutting off water quickly can limit damage. Test the valve to make sure it turns.
2. Breaker panel: Label circuits so you can reset or cut power to specific areas during an outage or repair.
3. Gas shutoff: Know where it is, but leave turning gas back on to your utility or a professional.

Protect your pipes

Disconnect garden hoses, cover outdoor spigots and insulate exposed pipes in garages, crawl spaces and attics. On very cold nights, let faucets on exterior walls drip slightly and open cabinet doors under sinks so warm air can reach the pipes. If you travel, keep the heat set at a safe temperature rather than turning it off.

A small emergency kit with flashlights, batteries, blankets, water and a phone charger rounds out your preparation.

Planning Bigger Improvements?

If your checklist points to a major project like new windows or a replacement HVAC system, your home equity may help. Explore our HELOC option or talk with a FLO Mortgage loan officer about the best way to fund it.

This article is for general education and is not a commitment to lend. All loans are subject to credit approval, underwriting guidelines and program availability. FLO Mortgage, Company NMLS #1835856. Equal Housing Opportunity.