Essential Home Maintenance Guide & Checklist—Winterizing Your Home

1. Clean your furnace filter:

   

   A dirty or obstructed air filter limits the air flow from your furnace to the ducts and is one of the main causes of furnace failure. Be sure to inspect, clean, and replace your furnace filters at the beginning of the heating season and/or on a regular basis throughout the winter season to ensure efficient air flow. If a particular area of your home is too warm or too cool, you can also adjust the dampers on each of your heat registers to increase airflow. For additional tips on managing your furnace, please visit Alberta New Home Warranty Program (ANHWP) here.
   

2. Manage your indoor humidity:

   During the winter, it is quite common for condensation, frost, and sometimes even ice to appear on your windows, especially in extremely cold temperatures. You may immediately think your windows may have been improperly installed. However, condensation is simply a sign of excess humidity in your home. We do not suggest allowing your home's relative humidity to get below 25% to avoid dry skin, nose bleeds, and a buildup of static electricity that can shock you when walking on your carpet. However, if you feel the need to reduce your humidity in your home, you can continuously run your HRV; leave your blinds open as much as possible throughout the day and night; always turn your bathroom fan on when bathing; always turn your range fan on when cooking; ensure your dryer, fresh air intake, heat registers and ducts are free of obstructions; run your ceiling and furnace fan continuously; and ensure windows and door frames are properly caulked—all of which will help with maximizing air circulation and flow. It is important to note that you must reduce your humidity ahead of cold weather rather than after once condensation has already formed. For additional tips on managing humidity, visit Alberta New Home Warranty Program (ANHWP) here.
   

3. Inspect your eavestroughs and downspouts:

   To ensure your basement stays dry throughout the winter, be sure to inspect your eavestroughs and downspouts for efficient rooftop drainage. Cleaning out your eavestroughs at least once a year helps prevent obstructions from settling. Downspouts should extend at least six feet from your foundation to avoid future issues from arising. For additional tips on managing your eavestroughs and downspouts, visit Alberta New Home Warranty Program (ANHWP) here. 
   

4. Test your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors:

   On a monthly or seasonal basis, do not forget to test both your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors to ensure your batteries are in proper working order. For additional tips on managing carbon monoxide and smoke detectors, please visit Alberta New Home Warranty Program (ANHWP) here.

5. Clean your range hood filters:

   Above: Onyx 36 Model
   Kitchen range hoods are an important part of your home’s ventilation system that help remove odors and improve air quality. Clean and replace your range hood filters in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. For additional tips on managing your range hood, please visit Alberta New Home Warranty Program (ANHWP) here.

6. Replace your humidifier filters:

   
   As humidity rises and falls, the repeated evaporation of water will leave mineral deposits along with dust and other debris in your humidifier. We recommend replacing your humidifier filters at the beginning of every heating season to ensure your humidifier is running as efficiently as possible. For additional tips on managing your humidifier, please visit Alberta New Home Warranty Program (ANHWP) here.

7. Check your roof for ice dams:

   Due to the constant freezing and thawing of water as a result of daily temperature changes throughout winter, our roofs are susceptible to ice dams or the accumulation of ice that prevents water from flowing off the roof and draining to the surface below. Ice dams allow water to sit and pool for an extended period of time on your roof and can often lead to severe damage or even leaks inside your home. For additional tips on managing ice dams, please visit Alberta New Home Warranty Program (ANHWP) here.

8. Check the seals around windows and doors:

   Above: Element 36 Model
   Prior to the cold weather settling in, you should check the seal around your windows and doors to ensure proper weatherstripping and sufficient caulking has been applied to prevent any air leaks. For additional tips on managing your caulking and weatherstripping, please visit Alberta New Home Warranty Program (ANHWP) here.

If you're able to complete these simple maintenance tasks prior to arrival of cold weather, we're confident your home will be well-protected against the harshest winter elements.

Rest assured, prior to handing over the keys to your brand new Kanvi home, our dedicated construction and service team will provide a thorough walkthrough of your home including sharing important maintenance information that will ensure your home operates efficiently in all seasons. If you have any questions regarding the maintenance of your Kanvi Home, please contact us below.