Winterize Your Home

Lower your heating bills by following these easy tips!

Keep the heat in

• Reduce drafts. Loose fitting windows and doors can be major sources of heat loss in a building. Properly seal them with weatherproofing materials. Adding weatherstripping around the edges of doors and windows will help keep heat in.
• Check attic insulation. The majority of heat that escapes from a home is through the roof. Proper insulation of at least six inches will help prevent heat loss.

Heating equipment and chimneys

• Maintain heating equipment. Properly maintain heating equipment to assure maximum efficiency and reduce the risk of malfunction. Have equipment cleaned and serviced yearly by a qualified individual to ensure safe use.
• Clean your chimney. Have your chimney cleaned and checked once a year, preferably before heating season starts. If you have not had your chimney inspected within the last three years, you should have it checked to ensure that there are no blockages.
• Check contractor qualifications. Make sure that individuals inspecting a boiler or chimney have the proper qualification from the Department of Buildings and Department of Consumer Affairs. Make sure your heating oil company has had its delivery truck inspected by the Department of Consumer Affairs to check for faulty meters.

Pipes, meters, roofs and drains

• Protect water meters and pipes from freezing. Pipes and meters can freeze when in unheated areas. Ensure there is proper insulation in the surrounding areas. Turn off water to outside faucets, remove hoses and drain the pipes.
• Employ proper precautions when thawing pipes and meters. If pipes and meters freeze, thaw them carefully. Do not use a flame, which could ignite a fire or cause a steam explosion. Open a faucet near the frozen area to release vapors from melting ice.
• Prevent snow and water accumulation. Snow and rain that collect on roofs can cause a leak or compromise a building’s structural integrity if the accumulated weight becomes too great. Remove snow from roofs and drains regularly. Clean gutters and roof drains to prevent clogs.

Fire and carbon monoxide safety

• Install smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Make sure that smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are working. Change the batteries of these devices twice a year, when you change your clocks for Daylight Saving Time.
• Avoid fire hazards. Keep space heaters away from draperies, linens and all flammable materials. Do not let candles burn low, and do not place them near children.

When winter work needs a permit

Routine upkeep like weatherstripping and cleaning gutters usually does not need a filing. Bigger jobs often do. Replacing a boiler or doing gas work generally requires a DOB filing by a licensed plumber, and changing windows or other exterior features on a landmarked building needs approval from the Landmarks Preservation Commission. If you are not sure whether your project needs a permit, call us at 718-833-2333 and we will check before work starts. We will work with the contractor you have, or if not, we will recommend one from our network.