Winter in the South can be unpredictable. A few proactive steps now can save you from high utility bills and the emergency of a burst pipe or a failing heater.
1. Guard Your Plumbing against Sudden Freezes
While we don’t have long months of deep snow, our “flash freezes” can be devastating to Southern plumbing.
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Disconnect Garden Hoses: Leaving a hose attached can trap water in the faucet, causing it to freeze and burst inside your wall.
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Insulate Exposed Pipes: Focus on pipes in unheated areas like attics, crawlspaces, and garages. Use foam insulation sleeves or “heat tape.”
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Cover Outdoor Spigots: Use inexpensive foam faucet covers to add an extra layer of protection.
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Know Your Main Shut-off: If a pipe does burst, every second counts. Ensure everyone in the house knows where the main water valve is located.
2. Maximize Heating Efficiency
Heating accounts for a huge portion of Alabama energy bills in January and February.
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Service Your HVAC: Schedule a professional “fall/winter tune-up.” It’s much cheaper to fix a small issue in November than to replace a blower motor in January.
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Change Air Filters: A dirty filter makes your system work twice as hard. Check it monthly during the winter.
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Reverse Ceiling Fans: Set your fans to rotate clockwise on a low speed. This creates an updraft that pushes the warm air trapped at the ceiling back down to the living space.
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Seal the Gaps: Check for drafts around windows and doors. Use weatherstripping or caulk to seal leaks—this simple DIY step can lower heating costs by up to 15%.
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