As temperatures start to drop, many of you are probably taking steps to ensure that your family stays warm and comfortable throughout the winter. While cranking up the heat seems like the best way to keep your house warm, it can be quite expensive.

This blog post will help you prepare your home for the cold weather. Here are 4 quick and easy ways to winterize your home while saving money.

Install a programmable thermostat

The furnace typically runs 24/7 during the winter. Installing a programmable thermostat keeps your Colorado home at a comfortable thermostat while saving money and energy.

A programmable thermostat allows you to program the thermostat to be at a lower temperature in the morning and then set it at a higher temperature in the afternoon. In addition to saving money and energy, it also simplifies your morning routine.

Check for air leaks

Air leaks will allow heated air to escape. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, drafts can waste 5 to 30% of your energy use. This will prevent your home from being the cozy, energy-efficient home you want.

Inspect the doors and windows to ensure that there is no air leakage. Make sure that the weather stripping around the doors and windows are in good condition. Inspect the threshold under each door.  Make sure to caulk and weatherstrip doors and windows that leak air.

Run fans in reverse

Most people will only turn on the fan when they feel hot. But fans can actually come in handy during the winter.

Reversing your ceiling fan direction will make the room feel warmer. When you turn on the fan, cooler air is drawn upwards while warm air is pushed back down. This allows you to set the thermostat at a lower temperature without sacrificing comfort.

Insulate your pipes 

Nothing is more relaxing than taking a steamy, hot shower in winter. However, your pipes are in danger of freezing and bursting in winter.

Insulating your hot water pipes will prevent heat from escaping through your pipes. Since insulated pipes deliver hotter water than uninsulated pipes, you can raise water temperature by 2 to 4°F; thus, saving you money and energy. It also prevents pipes from freezing and bursting. Pipes in the garage, crawlspace, and attic are in danger of freezing. Insulating them is essential to prevent broken or leaky pipes.

Being a homeowner entails a lot of responsibilities. This includes taking care of your home and making sure that it stays in tip top shape. Some maintenance tasks require the assistance of a professional, but there are a number of things you can do to ensure that everything runs smoothly.

Here are 4 maintenance skills aspiring homeowners need to master. Master these skills to keep your home in the best condition possible. Plus, it will help you save lots of money down the road.

Changing air filters

According to the U.S. FDA, indoor air is more polluted than outdoor air. You may not realize it, but there are lots of pollutants inside your Colorado home. Dust, dirt, pet dander, mold, pollen, chemicals, and the list go on. These pollutants get trapped in the air filters.

During the summer and winter months, your HVAC system is running round the clock. That means, the air inside your Colorado home is being re-circulated again and again. When the air filter is dirty, these pollutants will be blown back into your home and will be floating in the air. Make it a habit to change your air filters every 30 to 90 days. Not only will it improve indoor air quality, it will also help extend the life of your HVAC system.

Unclogging drains 

If you notice that the sink is draining slower than usual or there is standing water in the tub, you probably have a clogged drain.

Clogged drains can be a serious nuisance, which is why you need to address the problem fast. You can clear up even the most stubborn clogs with a little practice and some simple tools.

Cleaning gutters 

Most people don’t give their gutters much thought until they stop working properly. Your gutters are designed to keep water away from your Colorado home. When it’s clogged, water can’t run through them and will collect in the roof. Eventually, it will cause damage. When there is too much water on the roof, it will drip down the side of your house.

The last thing you want is to deal with water damage due to clogged gutters. Make sure that you clean your gutters regularly to ensure that they are working properly. You may also want to consider putting a gutter guard to prevent leaves, twigs, and other debris from accumulating.

Repair a leaky faucet 

Every homeowner will experience plumbing problems at some point. Leaky faucets are one of the most common problems homeowners face. Often, they tend to ignore the problem thinking it isn’t a big deal. But if left unattended, you’ll be wasting a lot of water. Also, this can lead to a bigger, more complicated problem. Learn how to fix a leaky faucet. It’s a simple task that anyone can handle.

Your water heater is one of those important household appliances you rely on the most, especially during the chilly winter months. Unfortunately, most people do not give their water heaters much thought until something goes wrong. Just like any other piece of equipment, it needs your attention occasionally to save energy and prolong its life.

When harsh winter weather arrives, you want to make sure your water heater is working efficiently. With these maintenance tips, you can increase your water heater’s efficiency and longevity, saving the hassle and expense of a premature replacement.

Insulate your water heater tank

A water heater tank that is warm to the touch needs additional insulation. Go ahead and touch your tank. Insulating your water heater tank is an easy and inexpensive way to improve the energy efficiency and extend the life of your water heater. It can improve its efficiency by up to 40% and reduce standby heat loss by 25-45%.

Install a heavy insulation blanket if your water heater is located in an unconditioned space such as the attic, garage or basement. Don’t forget to insulate your pipes as well.

Flush the tank

Over time, sediment and sludge can collect and settle at the bottom of your water heater. This will prevent your water heater from running efficiently and may even rack up your energy bills.

Flushing out these deposits will ensure that your water is in top shape and prevent malfunctions. The frequency with which to flush a water heater depends on the amount of water used and the size of the tank.

Check for leaks and drips

Water heater leak is something you shouldn’t ignore. If you do not act fast, it can morph into a major flooding disaster that can cause significant damage to your property.

Look for signs of a water heater leak. If you notice a pool of water beneath the tank, a leak inside the tank could be the culprit. Sometimes, a water leak can be hard to determine, especially if the leak is slow. Let your senses guide you. Turn off external sources of sounds, stand beside your water heater, and listen for the sounds of water rushing or dripping. Follow the sound and search for visual signs of a leak. If you hear water, but no apparent signs of a leak, there may be a break inside the tank.

Water damage is a Colorado homeowner’s worse nightmare.  Whether it comes from a leaky pipe, malfunctioning appliance, burst pipe or a devastating storm, just the thought of water flooding your home is enough to make a homeowner shudder. Luckily, it can be prevented.

Use these tips to minimize the risk of flooding or water damage to your Denver Colorado home this winter.

Prevent frozen pipes

Frozen pipes are no fun. They can cost thousands of dollars in damage, not to mention the risk of mold and microbial growth. 

Pipes in crawl spaces, attics and outside walls are vulnerable to freezing and bursting during the winter months. Water freezes and expands when the temperatures dip below freezing. Since the pipes are rigid, they are likely to burst when there’s too much expansion.

Insulate the pipes that are exposed to cold air. Make sure all the pipes, including the corners and elbows are protected. Also, keep the faucet open during extreme cold weather to release pressure moving down the pipe. This can help reduce the risk of bursting due to frozen pipes. If you are going on vacation, and the weather is very cold outside, we recommend that you leave the heat on in your home.

Check your water heater

Water heaters have an average lifespan of about 8 to 12 years. But if not properly cared for, sediments can build up inside the tank and corrode. Eventually, this may cause your water heater to leak or overflow.

A leaking water heater can cause massive damage. To prevent this from happening, check your water heater periodically for pooling water on the stand it rests on or on the top of the tank. Also, check for moisture surrounding the plumbing connections.

Clean gutters

Cleaning gutters is an easy job to put off. What people fail to realize is that this simple task can actually prevent future water damage.

Your gutter works by directing water away from your home’s foundation. But if there’s a build up of debris in your gutter, it might not be able to do its job properly. As a result, water may spill through the roof, into your foundation and down to your basement.