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  • Snap Out of a Cold Spell — Quick Tips to Keep You & Your Home Safe!

Snap Out of a Cold Spell — Quick Tips to Keep You & Your Home Safe!

As the first month of the new year comes to a close, January — for much of the United States — has been filled with some of the winter season’s most frigid temperatures. The weather system to blame, known as a polar vortex, has looked and felt exactly as that: record-low temperatures, wind chills well into the negative degrees, and conditions that have impacted some of the southernmost areas of the country.

While winter weather typically poses some sort of risk to your home and its infrastructure, there’s no doubt that an especially long and powerful spell of cold weather can warrant an extra level of care and attention.

As a homeowner, the question becomes — how can you stay comfortable (and safe) during moments of extreme weather and cold air outbreaks?

Aside from regular maintenance and other checklist items that prep your home for winter each year, continue reading for quick tips and habits you can put into practice NOW to brace for the cold. 

  • Practice Safety First, Always
    • When it comes to dealing with the blistering cold and any winter storm activity, keeping safety at the forefront is imperative. From clearing snow-and-ice-covered driveways to checking your fireplace for potential carbon monoxide leaks, going the extra mile here is worth it — especially if this type of weather is unprecedented in your area.
  • Have a Plan for Power Outages
    • Over the last two decades, Climate Central reported that 22% of power outages were caused by winter weather based on data from U.S. utilities. Throughout the winter months, it’s a good idea to stock up on essential items such as non-perishable foods or bottled water, and to keep emergency tools like flashlights and extra batteries accessible – just in case.
  • Maintain Your Heat Source
    • Ensuring that your main source of heat is functioning properly goes hand in hand with ensuring your safety, as well as the safety, health, and comfort of your loved ones.

      That being said – sometimes still, we find ourselves in a pinch. While hopefully it’s not in the middle of a cold snap, emergencies can happen.  

      Financing available from the National Energy Improvement Fund (NEIF) for home energy upgrades helps to alleviate the financial burden from potential improvement costs in these scenarios. 

      NEIF has an established network of heating and cooling contractors across the nation who are authorized to participate in some the nation’s most innovative financing programs for home energy efficiency upgrades. These contractors are not only equipped to meet the needs of your home, but are also committed to providing a high level of customer service. Click here to learn more about NEIF’s residential financing options, and click here to use NEIF’s online ‘Find a Contractor’ tool.

  • Avoid Frozen Pipes — At All Costs!
    • When adjusting your thermostat in the winter, the U.S. Department of Energy outlines a few critical factors to keep in mind — and to protect your pipes from freezing and bursting. While it’s important to consider where your home is regionally located, the location of your pipes in the home, their material makeup, as well as the extent of insulation also come into play, and can determine where to keep your heat.
  • Identify (And Stop) Drafty Spots
    • Drafts, or currents of cold air that can be felt around your house, are typically found near windows, exterior doors, attics and basements, and electrical outlets. As a more short-term fix, homeowners can consider purchasing and installing draft stoppers, plastic weatherstripping material, or even film that resembles shrink wrap to keep cold air from coming in. For a more thorough and long-term approach, however, DOE suggests investing in professional help. Whether window or door replacement is necessary, or a home energy assessment to further identify the cause of such drafts — leaks in the home envelope can have major impact on interior temperatures, and in turn, energy costs.  

With February — and several more weeks of winter — on horizon, staying informed on local weather forecasts and mindful of the tips above can help you (and your home) emerge on the other side of this cold spell unscathed.

For more information on NEIF, available financing options, and its contractor database, please visit: https://www.neifund.org/.