Summerlike fall days are giving way to cooler temperatures in the Berkshires. If you’re looking for homes for sale in Berkshire County, MA, or homes for sale in Columbia County, NY, or if you’re recent homebuyer, get ready to protect your investment with these tips to winterize your home.
1. Add insulation. Use a free insulation calculator like the ones that Home Depot and Lowe’s Home Improvement provide to estimate the square footage of insulation for your home.
2. Block drafts and air leaks by installing weather stripping around windows and exterior doors.
3. Prevent ice dams by cleaning the gutters and making sure the attic floor is amply insulated.
4. Insulate pipes that could be prone to freezing.
5. Inspect the fireplace.
6. Have the heating system serviced to ensure efficient performance.
7. Install storm doors and windows.
8. Blow out the sprinkler system.
9. Disconnect, drain, and stow garden hoses.
10. Stock up on ice melt.
You also might want to consider going a little deeper and scheduling an home energy assessment. For residents of Massachusetts, including Berkshire County, Mass Save is a consortium of electric and natural gas utility providers that offers a no-cost home energy assessment that can help make your home more energy efficient. The assessment takes about two hours and includes:
- Installation of energy-saving products at no cost to the homeowner, such as ENERGY STAR®-certified LED light bulbs, advanced power strips, low-flow showerheads, and faucet aerators.
- Safety tests of natural gas, oil or propane appliances to screen for carbon monoxide, drafts, and spillage
- An attic-to-basement list of energy-saving recommendations
- An eligibility screening for Mass Save rebates and incentives
In Columbia County, homeowners can request a home energy audit through several programs offered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).
