In most parts of the United States, winter does not wait for December to arrive. That makes now a very good time to ready for the cold, snow and ice. You can start by winterizing your house. You should first check your storm windows and exterior doors for any cracks, openings, etc. Any cracks and openings should be properly sealed. Also windows should be caulked where needed. You should also place weather stripping around all exterior doors to keep the cold air from entering your house. You should also add extra insulation where needed. If you have an attic, adding a few inches of insulation will not only lower your energy bill, it will also help protect your roof from ice dams. Ice dams will damage you rood. There is currently a tax credit available on many of these energy saving items. So, in addition to saving you money on your energy bills, you will save some money on your taxes and improve the value of your house.
You should also have your furnace cleaned and change the furnace filters. It is recommended that you change your furnace filters monthly during the winter. This will make your furnace run more efficiently. Installing a programmable thermostat will lower your heating costs. Also make sure there no flammable materials near your furnace. If you have a fireplace or a wood stove, you should have it and the chimney inspected to make sure they are safe. It is much easier to make any necessary repairs before the temperatures get really cold.
Also, you should clean your gutters and downspouts, and inspect your roof for any missing or worn shingles. This will help to prevent ice buildup which may damage your roof and gutters. You should ithe insulate any exposed pipes to prevent water in them from freezing and drain the garden hose.
Now is also a good time to service or tune-up your snow blower, make sure you have a good snow shovel, and a good supply of driveway salt. You should stock up on candles, flash lights, extra food, water, etc. in case the power goes out or you get snowed in for a day or two. If you live in an area where power outages are common, you may want to consider purchasing a generator.
Next, you should winterize your car. Check the tires for wear or put snow tires on your car. Also check the tire pressure. Then, check the battery, belts, hoses, lights, heater, defroster, brakes, antifreeze, etc and make any necessary repairs. You should change the oil in your car, replace the wiper blades and fill the washer fluid reservoir. You should also make sure you have a blanket, a first aid kit, a tool kit, some flares, cat litter, jumper cables, a snow brush, an ice scraper, a shovel, water and some food in your car. If you are not confident that your car will not get through the winter, now is a good time to consider replacing it with a more reliable one.
If you do decide to replace your car, there are many ways you can dispose of your present car. If you donate car to charity, you will get a tax deduction of at least $500 and your car donation will help a very worthy cause.
Author Resource:
Karen Campese is the Co-founder and CEO of Cars4Charities, a not for profit car donation center. They have over 1,000 respected charities that you can donate car to. When you donate your car , you get a tax deduction and help a good cause.
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://www.look4articles.com/images/icon_Rss.png "XML Feed For RSS"){kind=icon}
Category Rss Feed
Print This Article
Add To Favorites
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://www.look4articles.com/images/rss.jpg "XML Feed For RSS")