It definitely feels like winter now! 20 degree temperatures, blistering cold wind, and everything that makes us wish it were summer again. When temperatures get this cold, it’s important to be diligent about caring for your home. Here are a few things from our Massachusetts homeowner’s severe cold guide.
Keep Reasonable Thermostat Temps
You can’t be too conservative with your thermostat settings in this weather. It’s best to keep the settings inside of your home at 65 degrees or higher. This will help keep the walls and floors (and the water pipes within them) warm enough to avoid freezing. The cost of a burst pipe would be much more than the added heating cost.
Salt Generously
During severe cold temperatures, everything tends to freeze. Your driveway and walkways are probably super slick. Be generous with the salt or sand to avoid personal injury. In Massachusetts, homeowners are responsible for sidewalks in front of their homes, so don’t forget to treat those as well. Anyone getting injured on your property could result in a lawsuit and claim against your homeowners insurance. Save yourself the headache by practicing diligence when it comes to your walkways.
Locate Emergency Shutoffs
In case there’s a problem with your home, it’s helpful to know where all of the main shutoffs are ahead of time. This includes the water and heating system shutoff. It can be difficult to think clearly and locate these during an emergency.
Stock Up
Winter weather can often lead to snow days and power outages. Be prepared for both by stocking up on essentials. This includes water, non-perishable foods, flashlights, batteries, candles, and the like.
Keep Everything Closed
To conserve heat, you’ll want to keep everything closed. Don’t forget about the garage door. Although your garage may be somewhat cold, it’s still helping to create a buffer between the exterior and your house. Keeping the door closed will help your walls and rooms near the garage warmer.
Homeowner’s Severe Cold Guide – Things Not to Do
The above are just a few common sense recommendations for Massachusetts winter cold weather conditions. There are also a list of things that you should NOT do. Here are a few…
- Do not use portable outdoor heaters (i.e. propane heaters for camping) inside of your home.
- Do not use your oven to heat your home.
- Do not use torches to unfreeze pipes.
- Do not pour antifreeze into your home plumbing.
- Do not leave your car running inside of the garage.
We hope that these tips will help you stay warm and safe this winter.
