With another winter on our doorsteps, it’s time to consider what still needs to be done around your home ahead of the long, cold season. Bear in mind that with holidays coming up it might be harder to find time to have Toronto plumbing repairs done, so it’s good to make sure you’re ready for whatever the silly season brings. With the focus on environmental consciousness, you also want to make sure that you get the optimum performance from your home to reduce your footprint.
Manage Your Temperature
If no-one’s home all day, there’s no reason to keep the house piping hot and use up valuable energy in the process. The David Suzuki Foundation suggests fitting a programmable thermostat that can lower the temperature while you are out, and warm the home up again just before you arrive. Stats show that an Energy-Star approved thermostat can help you save more than 10% on home heating costs while giving you the option to change heating and cooling preferences at your convenience. The thermostat has in-home display panels, or you can access it online through the Internet.
Give Your Hot Water Heater a Tune-Up
The last thing you need in the dead of winter is to wake up to a cold shower, so get your hot water heater checked out well ahead of time. Discuss insulation options with your plumber and find out whether there are ways to lower your energy usage. Keeping your water hot 24/7 takes lots of energy, and by turning down your heater’s temperature by a couple of degrees or installing a timer you can save a substantial amount of money over the winter.
Clean Up Your Act
Cleaning out your drainpipes and gutters after Fall’s delightful bounty can help you avoid the need for drain repairs in Toronto homes. By emptying out sticks, leaves and other debris you can free up the pipes to enable the snow to melt and runoff. This prevents “ice dams” that can cause damage to the roof and walls of your home.
Protect the Pipes
Protect your external water pipes leading to the garden by closing the source off at the spigot and then turning on the faucet to drain the pipe. This will help to prevent water in the pipes from freezing and causing the pipes to crack and split. You can also search for pipes in areas that aren’t insulated, such as your garage or basement. Check the pipes for cracks and do any plumbing repairs needed, then wrap them in insulation sleeves to keep them from freezing. Drain the hoses of your air conditioner too, or close the shutoff valve if you have one.
Give yourself the gift of a stress-free winter by getting all the plumbing repairs done in advance, and enjoy the holidays without worry.
