By Dave Murnen
and Pat Beaty
While many folks dream of a white Christmas have you noticed that when the flakes actually fall around here, most people aren’t really prepared?
Take a look around and you can see that this is a good year to plan and act for snow and low temperatures. We are certainly not weathermen, but we’ve heard that the snow we’ve already had will likely not be the last this winter. In fact, despite our warmer-than-average autumn, the experts expect colder-than-normal weather for the winter. Including snow.
So, we’ve put together a Q &A of frequently asked questions that address keeping both you and your house warm and dry during any cold spells. That way, if the weather outside gets frightful, you and yours can stay safe and snug inside with a mug of cocoa or a hot toddy humming, “Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!”
Q. When it’s cold, we often use alternative methods to help heat our house. Is there anything we should know about this?
A. Yes – use with extreme caution! There are many dangers lurking when using certain alternative sources of heat. Carbon monoxide poisoning is the real risk and it can occur when people are using a gasoline-powered generator to produce electricity to run heaters and lights. Make sure that if you use a generator it is not operating inside the home or garage and is well ventilated so the fumes cannot get into even the attic vents under the eaves. If the generator isn’t far enough away from the house, the exhaust – which is odorless and colorless – can seep into your home and make you sick before you realize what is happening! It can definitely cause unnecessary death.
In fact, if you have any type of fuel burning heat source or generator, you should consider purchasing a carbon monoxide detector for your home!
It’s not just a generator that can generate safety concerns. Other risks include using an open oven or a stove top to heat a room. They can overheat and cause a fire. The use of a propane grill or briquette-type barbecue inside of a structure is definitely a carbon monoxide poisoning risk. So, do not use any of these methods to stay warm. Instead block all drafts you can find, put on layers of clothes or even go to a neighbor or friend’s house with more heat.
Also, be cautious when plugging in electric heaters. Although they aren’t a carbon dioxide risk, they draw a lot of power and can easily overwhelm an undersized extension cord becoming a fire risk. If the cord feels at all warm, it is a potential fire hazard. The house may catch fire before a circuit breaker shuts off the power! If the breaker or fuse does trip, you have too much energy in that line and this is also a very dangerous fire hazard. Start unplugging other uses on the same circuit. Be safe!
Q. Can my pipes freeze when the temperature is at or below 32 degrees?
A. Yes. There’s never a bad time to insulate pipes. It’s fairly inexpensive and can help save money in energy costs. This and air sealing all penetrations with foam are also standard PUD weatherization measures.
However, what you’re probably really asking is “What can I do right now to prevent my pipes from freezing?” In extended cold spells one way to prevent a bursting pipe is to leave both hot and cold water dripping, preferably at the sink farthest from the hot water tank. This will help circulate the entire water system.
This may cost a little money in water and energy loss, but it will be a lot cheaper than replacing broken pipes and fixing water damage.
Also, if you haven’t done so yet, unhook your garden hoses and wrap your outside faucets. It doesn’t have to be fancy – an old T-shirt or towel, even newspaper covered with plastic bags and rubber bands will do the trick.
Q. Can I close my foundation vents to prevent heat loss?
A. Yes. Are you surprised? We’re strong advocates of ventilating your house to keep moisture at bay. However, we do recommend closing your foundation vents as long as the temperature remains below freezing. It will keep the house more comfortable and maybe save on your heating bill. (Just make sure to open them up again when the weather gets a bit warmer!)
Q. Are there other ways to keep the cold out, and the heat in?
A. One of the best ways to stay warm during the winter months is to make sure your house is properly “weatherized.”
Weatherizing, generally, means to properly weather-strip, insulate and air seal floors, walls, ceiling, attics, doors and windows. Using industry and code standards will keep your house comfortable and energy efficient with the least amount of influence from the outside temperature. The savings will often pay for the cost over just a couple of years.
Properly installed weatherization measures can stop both cold air from getting into the home and heated air from escaping.
If you are electrically heated, call the nice folks at the PUD Conservation for a free energy inspection. They will recommend the best insulation measures for your house and you may also be eligible for a substantial rebate when you insulate to the PUD standard.
If your house needs to be insulated, but you need a loan to get that done, we work closely with the PUD weatherization program and make tailored loans to income- and credit- qualified homeowners.
However, if you want to do something today to help you feel warmer, add layers of clothing to create immediate results. Then start checking your windows, doors, outlets, attic hatch and any other areas for drafts and plug them as best you can. (And if you’re not using the fireplace, don’t forget to close the fireplace draft, after checking for live embers.)
Dave Murnen and Pat Beaty are construction specialists at NeighborWorks® of Grays Harbor County, where Murnen is the executive director. This is a non-profit organization committed to creating safe and affordable housing for all residents of Grays Harbor County.
Do you have questions about home repair, renting, remodeling or becoming a homeowner? Call us at 533-7828, write us or visit us at 710 E. Market St. in Aberdeen.
