The cost to winterize a house ranges from $50 to $1,500. You can DIY certain tasks for as low as $65, but you'll need to hire a winterizing pro for more complex projects, which can cost $1,000 or more.
Don't leave a vacant house unheated in the winter. You know how houses deteriorate rapidly after being abandoned? It's because without heat, moisture collects, mold and other fungus sets in, wood expands, studs and joists begin to warp, accelerated by freeze-thaw cycles.
In general, it's recommended to set your thermostat to 55 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. This may seem high compared to the freezing point of 32 degrees Fahrenheit, but it'll help keep the interior of the floor and wall cavities – where your plumbing is often located – safely above freezing temperatures.
Most comfort specialists agree that setting your thermostat between 80 to 85 degrees F while on extended vacation is an ideal range for striking the right balance between cost savings and your home's protection.
Water expands as it freezes, so if it freezes inside a pipe, it can blow out the walls of the pipe and cause a huge leak. Repairing water damage from a frozen, burst pipe is an expensive and time-consuming task. Luckily, you can greatly reduce the risk of frozen pipes with good winterization.
A pressure treated summerhouse could well include a 25-year guarantee. Most manufacturers do not stipulate that annual retreatment is required for pressure treated products, but do check individual guarantees. Untreated summerhouses should be coated in a quality wood preservative upon assembly and annually thereafter.
Call your local home service professionals, like Petro Home Services. Petro is staffed with fully-trained and experienced technicians that will be happy to help you avoid costly winter season problems with your heat and/or winterizing your home properly.
Many people take the term Summerhouse at face value, and presume they are only suitable for use during the warmer months. However, getting the right Summerhouse for you means you can enjoy it no matter the time of year!
Pipes, water heaters and other appliances can leak, or in freezing weather, pipes can freeze and burst, which can cause major damage in a home left unattended. If you are leaving for an extended period of time, the best protection is to have the water shut off and the water lines drained.
The Best Way to Winterize Water Pipes
There will be a wheel valve or handle you can turn clockwise to shut off the water supply. Flush the toilets after turning off the main water valve to drain the toilet tanks. Turn on all the water taps throughout the house to drain them and prevent any residual water from freezing.
Typically you can insulate a summer house in many different ways. Whether you choose internal or external insulation, you can benefit for either.
Electric heaters are a popular choice for smaller log cabins or as a supplementary heating source. They come in various forms, including portable space heaters, wall-mounted heaters, and underfloor heating mats. Electric heaters are efficient for providing spot heating in specific areas of your cabin.
During heat waves, experts, including utility companies, recommend keeping your thermostat no more than 20 degrees cooler than the outdoor temperature. For instance, if it's 100 degrees outside, aim to set your thermostat to at least 80 degrees.
Thermostat settings play a pivotal role in managing your heating system's efficiency. It's a common misconception that leaving your heating on at a constant temperature is more energy-efficient than turning it on and off. Does turning the heat on and off raise the bill each month? The answer is no.
Is 65 degrees cold for a house? During the summer, 65 degrees might use a lot of energy and be too cool for a house, but this temperature can save energy during the winter. It all depends on your personal preferences.
Use Foam or Fiberglass Insulation: Wrap pipes with foam sleeves or fiberglass wrap to maintain a consistent temperature and reduce the risk of freezing. Seal Gaps and Apply Heating Tape: Seal gaps around pipes entering through exterior walls with caulk or expanding foam.
When you get home, the most energy efficient thermostat setting for summer is around 72-76°. Don't drop the temperature lower than that, expecting the house to cool off faster.
Regardless of how long you will be traveling and away from home, keep your thermostat set at 68 degrees Fahrenheit or above. This will help to keep the pipes on the inside of the home from freezing and the ones under the home at a slightly higher temperature as well.