Winter has taken over Northern Virginia with frigid temperatures and snow expected to continue. Ensuring the safe and efficient operation of your HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems during the winter is important for both comfort and safety. In addition, it helps keep your home functioning well and lasting long. Check out these 10 winter safety tips to ensure you get safely and comfortably through the cold season.

Filter Replacements

Furnace filters should be replaced more often during the winter months.  Routine replacements keep your heating system operating at its best, improves the quality of the air that you breathe and saves you on energy usage.

Routinely Check Outdoor Exhaust Vents

High efficiency natural gas appliances such as water heaters, furnaces and fireplaces require an outdoor exhaust vent.  Most vents are plastic pipes exiting your home at the foundation. It’s critical that these vents be clear of snow, ice and other debris, at all times.  A clear opening, allows gases from your appliances to vent to the outside, and prevent the buildup of carbon monoxide.

Prevent Water Pipes from Freezing

Neglecting your plumbing during the winter can bring severe consequences. Protect yourself by taking a few preventative measures that will help you reduce the risk of frozen or burst pipes. Pipes located on exterior walls or in unheated interior spaces such as your garage, attic or basement have the greatest freezing potential.  For long-term protection, invest in pipe insulation for plumbing that borders an exterior wall.  If you don’t have frost-proof spigots, make sure you close the interior shut-off valves that lead to outdoor faucets.  In extreme cold weather, you can let cold water drip from your indoor faucets. The constant flow of water, makes freezing pipes less likely to occur.  It also helps to open cabinet and closet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around exterior wall plumbing.

Know the Location of Your Home’s Main Water Valve

In case of a major incident – such as a pipe bursting – you will need to immediately shut off all the water in the home. It’s critical to know where the main water valve is located. This valve is usually located next to the water meter and should be kept in good condition. Click here to find out how to locate your main water valve.

Schedule a Heating Tune-Up

Getting a yearly heating tune-up not only ensures that your heating system is functioning properly and efficiently, but it also prevents untimely system breakdowns and costly repair bills.

Check Your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Make a habit of testing and changing the batteries in your household smoke and carbon monoxide detectors at least once per year.  During testing, take note of the detector’s expiration date, which can be found on the bottom of the detector.  If no expiration date is listed, keep in mind that the average CO detector has a life expectancy of 3-5 years, while smoke detectors need replaced every 8-10 years.

Avoid Circuit Overload

Do not overload electrical outlets. There should be, at maximum, only one high wattage appliance used per outlet. Many homeowners are prone to add more burdens to their home’s electrical needs with increased holiday lights and decorations. Monitor the use of your home’s electrical outlets.

Know the Location of Your Electrical Panel

Your electrical panel is the nerve center of your home’s power system. Familiarize yourself with its location and label the circuits for each room clearly. In an emergency, such as a tripped breaker or storm-induced outage, quick access to the panel ensures you can restore power safely and efficiently. Consider having the professionals at Parrish Services inspect your panel to confirm it’s in good condition for winter’s demands.

Stay Above the Minimum Winter Indoor Temperature

A common cold season question: What should I set the temperature to during the winter? It’s not a one number kind of answer, because it depends on many factors. However, it is important to keep your home no less than 65 degrees. This could be viewed as the ultimate minimum. This temperature is vital to keep pipes from freezing and causing other substantial issues

Keep Furnace Area Clear

Whether you heat your home with a furnace, boiler or heat pump, always keep the area around the interior and exterior units clear. Give your system the space it needs to function properly. Every so often, especially after a snow or ice storm, check the outdoor unit (heat pump) and ensure all exhaust vents are free and clear of any debris, snow or ice.

Get Your Home Ready for Winter with Parrish Services

Parrish Services offers HVAC, plumbing, and electrical services to ensure your whole home is in top shape to take on the cold Virginia winter. Contact our certified technicians for your system maintenance, repairs, or installations.