Severe weather has the potential to impact property more at this time of year than during any other season. “September is the ideal month to address proper storm preparedness,” says Generac Power Systems Senior VP of Marketing Clement Feng. “At the same time homeowners begin preparing for winter storm season, the potential threat from hurricanes becomes more apparent, all while many parts of the country are still experiencing summer heat threats. The timing is truly an influx of extreme weather.”
Homeowners who may feel overwhelmed should break down winter preparedness projects into manageable tasks they can tackle a bit at a time. Taking the time to seal a window or have the heating system serviced will pay off in the cooler months with energy savings and a toasty inside temperature, helping keep families comfortable despite what’s happening outside.
Sealing the envelope of the home has become one of the most important tasks for homeowners in terms of energy efficiency. A few simple steps homeowners can take to keep the warm air in and the cold air out with the change of seasons include:
• Sealing drafty or single-pane windows with a DIY insulating roll-on kit
• Making doors airtight with weather stripping and draft seals
• Having a professional check for leaks in ductwork and service the heating system
In addition, homeowners should prepare for outages this winter. The increasingly unpredictable nature of weather patterns and threats to our infrastructure pose a hefty warning to our electrical power systems. Consider purchasing an automatic home backup generator to remain with power in the event of an outage.