Winter doesn’t usually get too bad here in Florida, which is why it’s famously known as the Sunshine State. The average temperature per month doesn’t fall below 59 degrees. That’s why so many people love living in Florida in the first place – all this beautiful weather!
There’s been the occasional snow over the years, so we rarely have much to worry about. But with winter storms becoming more common, it might be time to learn how to protect against these new, frigid winters. Here are seven tips to help in preparing for a Florida winter.
7 Ways to Prepare Your Florida Home for Winter
1. Perform Routine Maintenance on Your HVAC System
During the coldest months of the year, your heater is your best friend. That’s why it’s crucial to perform routine maintenance, so it doesn’t break or malfunction when you need it most. Change your air filter every month, check to ensure the coils are in good shape, and make sure both the indoor and outdoor systems are running properly.
2. Seal Your Windows
Before the temperatures drop, you should fix any potential leaks. Sealing the edges of your windows is one of the most effective ways to keep the cold air out and the hot air in. You can also purchase high-quality energy-efficient windows that are built to prevent heat and cold transfer.
3. Improve Your Insulation
If you find that your home doesn’t retain heat for very long, you could have an insulation issue. Problems with your insulation can be an expensive and uncomfortable problem to have. Make sure you check and improve your home’s insulation before it gets too cold.
4. Switch Your Ceiling Fan Direction
Your ceiling fan can turn in two directions. During the summer, you want your fan to turn counterclockwise to circulate the cool air better. But during the winter, you should change the direction to turn clockwise and push the heat back down to the ground.
5. Protect Your Pipes
Freezing pipes can, unfortunately, lead to burst pipes, which are incredibly inconvenient and expensive to fix. So, when the temperatures drop below freezing, make sure you keep your faucets dripping so that water is constantly moving through the pipes. If you allow the water to sit idle in the pipes, they might freeze, and you want to avoid that at all costs.
6. Clean Your Gutters and Storm Drains
Before it gets too cold and icy, you should clean out your gutters and storm drains. Excess debris and clutter might build up, and when it rains and freezes, you could end up with ice dams. These can be particularly problematic and could cause a lot of damage to your home.
7. Prepare Emergency Kits
We’re all too familiar with creating emergency kits here in Florida. The same principles that apply to storm kits also apply to winter emergency kits.
When preparing your emergency kit, you should fill it with essential items, like a portable cell phone charger, a candle-powered heater, a flashlight, a warm hat and gloves, and an ice-scraper. Try to think of things you’ll need if the roads get icy or you lose electricity for a prolonged period.
Looking for a New Home This Winter?
Instead of preparing your home for winter, why not just buy a new home that’s already winterized and ready to go? If you’d like to sell your current home or check out homes for sale in Jacksonville or anywhere in Northeast Florida, contact the Welch Team today. We’d be happy to help!
