You are here: Home / Cold Weather Bulletin

Cold Weather Bulletin

❄️ Winter Readiness: Essential Tips for Your Home

As temperatures drop, taking a few simple steps can help you stay warm, reduce your energy bills, and prevent costly damage from frozen pipes or flooding. Please review these winter guidelines for your home.

🚜 Exterior & Foundation Care

Protecting your home’s exterior is the first line of defense against winter damage.

  • Disconnect Garden Hoses: Remove all hoses from outside spigots immediately. Trapped water in hoses can cause pipes to freeze and burst, resulting in flooding and mold growth.
  • Seal the Crawlspace: If your home has a crawlspace, ensure foundation vents are closed.
  • Report Openings: If you notice large openings or broken vents, please notify us. In the meantime, you can temporarily block drafts using steel wool, fiberglass insulation, or cardboard to keep cold air away from your pipes.

🚰 Pipe Protection

  • The “Slow Drip” Method: During extreme cold snaps (when temperatures consistently remain below freezing), leave faucets on exterior walls running with a very slow drip.
  • If Pipes Freeze: Turn the faucet to the “off” position. While pipes often thaw without issue, they can burst. Monitor the area closely as temperatures rise.
  • Low Pressure: Notify us immediately if you experience a significant reduction in, or no, water pressure, as this may indicate a frozen water main.

🌡️ Heating Efficiency & Cost Saving

Heating your home efficiently saves you money and reduces the risk of system breakdowns.

  • Maintain Consistent Temps: We recommend keeping your thermostat between 65°F and 68°F.
  • Avoid Temperature Swings: Do not turn the heat off when you leave. Forcing a unit to jump 10+ degrees when you return puts undue stress on the system and often triggers expensive “auxiliary heat” modes.
  • The “1-Degree” Rule: For every degree you raise the heat, your bill can increase by 5% to 15%. Layering up with warm clothes and blankets is the most cost-effective way to stay cozy!
  • Airflow is Key: Do not close off multiple rooms or vents. Your HVAC system is designed to move a specific volume of air; restricting it makes the unit work harder and less efficiently. Keep interior doors cracked to allow air to circulate.

🪜 Multi-Story Homes

If you have an upstairs heating unit:

  • Heat rises, but you should still run your upper-level heat to assist the main level.
  • Pro Tip: Set the upstairs thermostat a few degrees lower than the main level. This balances the workload between units.

🌬️ Air Filter Maintenance

Changing your filter is the easiest way to keep your bills low and your air clean.

  • Frequency: Change filters every 90 days (or more often if you have pets).
  • Filter Type: Surprisingly, less expensive filters are often better because they allow for maximum airflow. High-restriction filters can actually decrease HVAC efficiency.
  • Clean Air: For better air quality, use a standalone HEPA filtration unit rather than a heavy-duty HVAC filter.

🛠️ Need Assistance?

If you notice broken windows, foundation gaps, or heating issues, please contact us via the Tenant Portal or call us!

Stay safe and warm this winter!