With temperatures set to dip below freezing, now is the ideal time to ensure your home is ready for the winter season. The following winter maintenance tips are designed to help you safeguard comfort, efficiency, and peace of mind throughout the colder months ahead:
Disconnect hoses and turn off exterior faucets
To prevent freezing damage, disconnect and drain all exterior hoses. From inside the home, close the water shut-off valve for each exterior faucet and fully drain any remaining water from the hose bib to eliminate the risk of trapped water freezing and causing pipes to burst. For added protection, consider installing insulated hose bib covers, available at most home improvement retailers, to further safeguard your exterior plumbing throughout the winter.
Air conditioner winterization
To extend the longevity of your air conditioning unit, start by turning off the power to prevent accidental activation. Locate the exterior disconnect panel, a grey box typically mounted near the outdoor A/C unit. Inside, you will find either a switch or a pull-out handle; if it is a switch, flip it to the “off” position; if it is a pull-out mechanism, remove it, flip it upside down and reinsert it so that “off” is displayed at the top right, confirming the unit is powered down. Once the unit is safely powered down, securely cover it to shield it from winter elements and debris.
Seal gaps and cracks
Carefully inspect the areas around all windows and doors to minimize heat loss and maintain indoor warmth. If you notice any gaps larger than the width of a nickel between the siding and the door frames, apply exterior-grade caulking to reseal these openings and ensure energy efficiency.
Preparing for frost or condensation on windows and doors
Proactive management of your humidifier and HRV (Heat Recovery Ventilator) systems is essential to minimize frost and condensation on windows and doors during the winter months. Although condensation is a reflection of humidity, we recommend maintaining indoor humidity no lower than 25%. The HRV system is designed to remove excess humidity from your home, although its efficiency decreases during periods of extreme cold. For optimal operation, set your HRV to VENT on a low speed, running for about 20 minutes each hour via the main control located beside your main floor thermostat.
As forecasted outdoor temperatures drop, particularly when a cold snap is expected, proactively lower your home’s humidity if it is higher than 25% by adjusting the main control to a medium or high setting. It is important to make these adjustments before the temperature falls significantly as the operation at higher speeds during the extreme cold increases the risk of ice blockages forming within the system.
Remember, when you take possession of your new Kanvi home our construction team will proudly walk through your home with you and share everything you need to know about your home maintenance. Contact us for more information.
