Tips for Protecting Your Home for the Winter

Temperatures can drop severely in Boise, ID. You should think about protecting your home for the winter before the weather becomes extremely harsh.

• Overhanging Trees – Trees that are not trimmed properly can have old branches that weaken when the weather changes. Weak branches can fall on your roof or damage other areas of your home. Make sure these branches are taken care of before winter arrives.
• Water Heater Temperatures – Lower the temperature of your water heater by 20 degrees. Most heaters usually push hot water at 140 degrees. If you manually decrease the temperature to 120, you could save lots of money as well as reduce wear and tear on your water pipes.
• Ceiling Fan Direction – During the winter, change your ceiling fan’s direction. Switch it from counterclockwise to clockwise. This will allow the heat, which naturally rises, to be pushed down by the circulation of the fan. Warm air will travel down and help keep your rooms warm. Changing the direction of the ceiling fan is a simple, yet great way to minimize heating costs.
• Door Locks – Extremely cold weather can contract metal door locks causing the key to freezing inside the locking mechanism. A simple solution is to spray a small amount of lubricant in the lock to prevent freezing.
• Check Your Policy – Winter begins at the end of the year, so it’s a good time to go over your policy and make sure you’re covered. Understanding your coverage for winter accidents or mishaps will give you peace of mind. It is also a good time to add extra coverage if it is needed.

Boise, ID residents, can have our expert agents helping them with their home insurance policy. We can also offer assistance with new or existing life, health, and auto insurance policies.