Winterizing Your Home

Chicago property management companies in Chicago will begin the ramp up to winter by winterizing their properties, but here a few tips from ABC Property Management that you can do all on your own

Open Your Curtains, Close Your Doors

If your windows are facing the sun, open your drapes during the day and allow the sun to warm your home naturally. In the evening be sure to close those curtains to add an extra layer of protection. When you have a space with all the doors open you will naturally need more heat to warm the place up, try and close all of the doors in rooms you are not currently occupying. Even if you have a large closet keep the doors closed to minimize the space requiring heating.

Door Gaps

Self-stick door sweep

Self-stick door sweep

You can lose a lot of heat at the bottom of your doors, especially ones with large gaps. Buying a plastic door "sweep" is a good money-saving solution and they come in many different types depending on your door. If you need to cover it in a pinch, lay a towel across the bottom of the door until you are able to get a permanent gap blocker. 

Window Insulation Kits

In a condo, the majority of unwanted cold air comes in through leaky windows. Window insulation kits are cheap and can be done in a short amount of time with just a hair dryer.They might not always look the best, but if done correctly you'll barely notice them and it's surprising at how much they can cut down on those cold winter drafts and save you money.

Let the Faucets Drip

4086743445_22055e9a30_o.jpg

Chicago winters can be brutal, and often the temperatures can drop to below zero, but even when they drop into the low 30s it can still freeze your pipes- let the cold water drip from your faucets. Running water through the pipes, even a trickle, will prevent the pipes from freezing since the temperature of the water running through them is above freezing. Opening the cabinets under your sink will also allow warm air to circulate around the pipes.

Uncover The Heat Vents

Sometimes when decorating your home you move the furniture to spots that make it difficult for the heat to rise. Make sure that you don't have any furniture blocking your heat vents or anything is backed up against your radiators. This can make a huge difference in the amount of heat that is getting out into your home.

Use the ceiling Fan

We mentioned this before in our blog about Chicago condo rehabs, but it's such a smart idea, we thought we'd tell you again. Reversing the direction of your fan will pull the warm air from the ceiling downward, make sure it's turning clockwise in winter.

ONE LAST TIP:  The U.S. Department of Energy estimates you can save 5% to 15% a year on your heating bill by turning the temperature lower by 10° to 15°  for 8 hours.