Play | Download (Right Click, Save As...)

Here’s a quick checklist to make sure your home’s interior is ready for winter: First, make sure water pipes in unheated areas are properly insulated to protect against freezing and to save energy. You can find inexpensive foam pipe insulation in three to six foot lengths at your local home center. Next, make sure your fireplace and chimney have been properly cleaned and checked. This is a job for a professional chimney inspector. You should also have your furnace checked by a pro. An oil-burning unit, heat pump, or radiator should be inspected annually. A gas or electric furnace should be inspected every two or three years. Finally, this is also a great time to drain your water heater to remove sediment from the bottom of the tank, making the unit last longer and run more efficiently.