Phoenix Home Remodeling Winter Tips

Although winter doesn’t technically start until December 22 this year, temperatures are starting to drop significantly, even in Phoenix. It may not be as severe as other states in the country, but if you’ve lived here long enough, anything under 70 degrees is considered chilly. Here are a few things you should inspect to prepare for the winter months.

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1. Make Sure Your Heater Works

In Phoenix, it’s not uncommon to go 6 or more months without using your heater. If it’s not working the way you remembered it working last year, call an HVAC professional to take a look and clean your ducts. Don’t forget to change the air filters as well. This becomes increasingly important during the winter months where you may be more susceptible to catching a cold. Dusty air vents and air filters can make it harder for you to recover if you catch a cold.

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2. Check Your Windows and Walls for Cracks

In the midwest and upper east coast, weather stripping around the windows is a common method to seal any possible cracks. This becomes important during the winter month to prevent your heater from working harder, costing you more in utility bills. Now would also be a good time to replace that cracked window you’ve been pushing off since July!

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3. Prevent Plumbing Freezes

Yes, even in Arizona freezing occurs (primarily up North in higher altitude). There are rare times at night when freezing occurs around Phoenix, and even more so up north near the Cave Creek area. It’s important to keep your garden hoses drained, insulate any exposes pipes, and drain your A/C pipes. If you’re going home for the holidays, leave your heat on, but set it to a much lower temperature, somewhere in the 50s. It’s important to keep your house above freezing temperature but low enough so you’re not using too much energy while your house is unoccupied.

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Luckily, we live in Phoenix, and we enjoy a mild winter. But every now and again I’m surprised to see frozen water in my fountain on an early winter morning…

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