Keeping Warm This Winter

7 Home Mistakes During the Winter
Posted by Deanna Joy Beltran on Thursday, November 17, 2022 at 6:15 PM By Deanna Joy Beltran / November 17, 2022 Comment

7 Mistakes Homeowners Make During Cold Weather

Winter weather is a wonderful time to huddle by a warm fire and enjoy some well-earned relaxation. The cold weather invites you to ignore home projects and wait for spring to beckon you outside again. Unfortunately, maybe homeowners don’t realize that they are making critical mistakes which can cost thousands of dollars to correct.

7 Mistakes Homeowners Make During Cold Weather

  1. Skimping on Small Protection - A little frozen water can do a lot of damage. Faucet protectors, foam insulation, and leak detectors are an easy weekend DIY to protect your home for little cost.

  2. Enjoying the Icicles - Icicles are picturesque, but before you put them on your Facebook feed, it would be better to remove them and clear the gutter; icicles are evidence of a stoppage in the gutter.

  3. Ignoring your Gutters - While we’re talking about gutters, if you see water pouring down the side of your house, the rain and snow is missing the gutters entirely and soaking the foundation and walls.

  4. Cold Air Gaps - It’s not too late to seal those gaps that drain your house of heat and inflate your energy bills.

  5. Program Your Thermostat - BE intentional about the temperature and invest in a programmable thermostat that allows for comfort and controls costs.

  6. Skipping HVAC Tune-ups - Service your furnace before winter to maintain its efficiency and maximum performance.

  7. Missing a Fireplace Cleaning - A dirty or blocked fireplace can be dangerous. Annual cleaning...

Top Fireplace Questions
Posted by Deanna Joy Beltran on Wednesday, December 29, 2021 at 10:09 AM By Deanna Joy Beltran / December 29, 2021 Comment

Ready for the snap, crackle and pop of a roaring fire? Fireplaces are one of the most sought-after home features, but using one can be intimidating, and you’ve probably got questions. Here’s a quick guide to get you and your fire started this fall.

How do I use a wood-burning fireplace?

1. Get your chimney inspected

Safety is your first priority! Have your fireplace and chimney inspected by a licensed professional. This is something you should do every year, before the first fire of the season.

2. Prepare the fireplace

Clean out any old ashes with a broom (make sure they’re cool, of course). Check that the damper is open and working properly.

3. Gather and prep your wood

Use seasoned hardwood that has been split and dried for at least six months — preferably for a year. Seasoned hardwood logs should be dark and cracked at the ends, and they should make a hollow sound when knocked together. To construct a long-lasting fire, place a rolled-up ball of newspaper or fire started beneath the grates. Then lay pieces of narrow, finely split wood in a crisscross pattern on the grates, called kindling. Finish the stack by securely resting one to three dry logs over the kindling.

4. Prime the flue

This step heats the cold air inside the flue so you don’t get a backup of smoke. Before you light the fire, light a tightly rolled-up sheet of newspaper, and hold it toward the open damper. Keep it there for a minute or two until you see the smoke going up the chimney.

5. Light it up!

Now you’re ready to light your fire and enjoy. If the fire starts to go out, gently fan the flames with folded newspaper or use a poker to get the air flowing again. Add logs to the fire with tongs to provide more fuel. When the fire has gone out for the night, close the metal or glass doors before you go to bed.

Are fireplaces efficient?

It depends....