It’s no secret that winters in Alaska are not for the faint of heart. But the cold weather doesn’t mean you need to be miserable or — worse — in danger in your own home. With some basic preparations, you can enjoy a warm, safe, and comfortable Alaskan winter.
Alaska is a great place to live all year round, and it takes more than a stiff chill to break an Alaskan. Here’s a 10-point winter preparation checklist to winterize your house in Anchorage and set yourself up for a cozy New Year …
1. Winterize Your Plumbing
One of the costliest hazards in colder climates is a pipe that freezes and then bursts. Avoid this fate with some basic winter readiness. Set your thermostat so the temperature in your home never drops below 65°F — that will go a long way towards preventing your interior pipes from freezing. For all exterior pipes, wrap them with insulation sleeves or heat tape. Drain every exterior faucet completely and wrap them as well.
2. Get Your Water Heaters and Boilers Inspected
The last thing you want in the dead of the Alaska winter is to find yourself without hot water. Give yourself some peace of mind — get your heater or boiler looked at by a pro. They tend to book up as winter approaches, so sooner is better. Don’t hesitate to invest in a tune-up, any necessary repairs … even a replacement if the unit is nearing the end of its useful life. Don’t gamble on the thing dying in the middle of winter, when it will be hard to get a replacement installed.
3. Get Your HVAC Inspected
A broken HVAC can be dangerous under Alaska winter conditions. As part of your winter preparation, make sure your heater or furnace is in good working order. Hire someone to look at it if need be. Check your vents or have them checked to make sure that they are clear.
4. Weatherproof your Windows and Doors
Check your window and door seals and weatherstripping. Help winterize your house by replacing them if need be. Consider investing in curtains with an insulated lining. All of these winter readiness steps will make sure that heat doesn’t escape from your house and drive up your heating bill.
5. Get your Fireplace, Wood Stove, and/or Chimney Inspected and Cleaned
Built-up ash and soot in your chimney or stove vent is a fire hazard, as are any birds or critters that may have made their nest therein. Get them checked before it gets too cold — your fireplace or stove will probably get plenty of use during winter in Anchorage.
6. Check The Dryer Vent for Clogs
This is especially critical if you have noticed your clothes taking longer than usual to dry — the culprit may be a clog in the dryer vent. This is a serious fire hazard, and should be dealt with before it gets too cold.
7. Consider a Programmable Thermostat
If you haven’t upgraded to a programmable thermostat yet, let this be the year you take the plunge. It will help you manage your energy use by reducing the temperature when the house is unoccupied … without letting it get so cold that your pipes (or your pets) freeze.
8. Clean the Rain Gutters
Debris in the gutters or downspouts can easily become ice dams, which can separate or even tear down your gutters. Make sure they are clear before a freeze hits them.
9. Replace the Smoke and CO Detectors — Or Replace Them if Needed
You will probably spend a lot of time in your home during the cold months. A malfunctioning smoke detector or carbon monoxide detector makes your home far less safe. Take this opportunity to change the batteries in all units, and to change the units themselves if they are near the end of their useful life — 10 years for a smoke detector, 5 years for a CO detector.
10. Check the Fire Extinguisher — Or Get One
If you don’t have one yet, get a fire extinguisher. If you have one, check that it works and review with your household where it is and how to use it. This can help you suppress or even eliminate small fires, eliminating the need to evacuate into sub-zero temperatures.
Want more tips on how to prepare for the winter? Give Taylored Restorations a call! Winter is only getting closer, so time is of the essence. Don’t delay — reach out to us today!
