Prescott friends and neighbors, summer has gone, and cooler temperatures have arrived. These cooler fall and winter temperatures require extra attention to your home, and now is the time to start the process of winterizing areas in, and around, your house. Taking the extra time right now to care for these items in advance may save you money, grief, and frustration.

Outdoor Tips

• Remove your hoses from the hose bib. Leaving the hose attached may lead to a frozen or busted pipe (an added expense that no one wants or needs).
• For landscaping sprinklers and drip lines, talk to your landscaper to discuss proper techniques to prepare these outdoor lines for colder weather.
• Check your rain gutters and clear out any debris. Blocked gutters can cause a water blockage, which may freeze and possibly find its way into your home.
• Rain and snow can make driveways extremely icy and precarious to walk or drive on. Preparing early rather than later and having some ice melt and a shovel on hand will be worth its weight in gold. This may also save you a trip to the store in less than desirable conditions.

Indoor Tips

• Your HVAC unit should have an annual winter tune-up (and spring tune-up) by a licensed HAVC company. This will help keep your system running efficiently and in top condition. You will also want to test your heater before colder temperatures to ensure everything is in working condition.
• Also, part of maintaining the efficiency of your system is to change the filters every month. For steps on how to replace your air filters, watch this video.
• If you have ceiling fans, switching their rotation direction to clockwise will help with the heating of your home. Return them to counterclockwise when warmer weather returns.
• Now would also be a great time to check your smoke alarms and ensure they are fully functional. If you don't already have one, adding a fire extinguisher to your home is always a smart decision.

A little preparedness will go a long way in the health and safety of your family and home.

If the possibility of relocating to one of our communities has been on your mind, take some time and come for a visit. You’ll find new opportunities at some communities and the last chance to be part of others. Whether you’re looking to put down roots or you’d rather let the winds guide you where they may, you’ll find a community at Dorn Homes that will welcome you with open arms. For more information about any of the homes or communities we build reach out to an Online Home Advisor today.