Though the Tampa area is known for its relatively mild winters, there are still times when cold Arctic air can creep in and leave you chilled to the bone. Winterizing your Florida home will not only keep you comfortable, but it will also help to lower your energy bills and reduce your carbon footprint.
Winterizing Solves Common Problems
Though it may seem a bit silly to winterize a Florida home, particularly since the winter is usually quite mild and there are very few days that are actually cold, winterizing can go a long way toward keeping you comfortable when the temperatures dip. What’s more, the steps you take to keep the cold out now will also keep the cold in during the summer months when the temperatures are sweltering. If you’re feeling a draft in your home or if you have one or two rooms that are much cooler than others, winterizing is a great idea.
Understanding the Term “Winterizing”
When it comes to winterizing your Florida home, the term encompasses a large variety of improvements and/or repairs that can be used to help protect your home from cold temperatures. There are two primary goals: keeping you and your family comfortable and reducing your overall heating costs. Winterization can be done professionally, and this often involves replacing insulation, installing new windows, and more. However, there are some things that homeowners can do on their own that will help, too.
Do-It-Yourself Fixes
If you’re interested in winterizing your Florida home on your own, one of the first things you should do is seal up your windows and doors to prevent the heated air in your home from escaping. There are many ways in which you can do this, but under-door weather strips and guards will help seal up any gaps around doors – and they’re easy to install. You can purchase plastic to cover your windows and seal any cracks in the sills or otherwise that might be allowing the heated air to escape, too. If you have access to your ductwork, be sure to check it for gaps or leaks. Here, cold air can enter and get into your home via the registers.
Professional Fixes
There are many companies in Florida that specialize in winterizing your Florida home, and while the services may be expensive, they should be viewed as an investment since they will save you money on your heating and cooling costs throughout the year. In most cases, companies use a whole-home blower to determine where air is leaking. Then, using a variety of techniques, they will generally re-insulate your home. If you are concerned about costs, there may be a state or federal grant available to you, based on your income, to help you bear that burden. To find out more, visit the Benefits.gov website.
Winterizing your Florida home is beneficial to you in many ways, but it’s also beneficial for the environment. Whether you can afford a little or a lot, every little bit will help to save you money in the long run, to keep you warm, and to keep carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere.
