A DEEP FREEZE IS COMING….

Please take these very important precautions to avoid weather related emergencies from the deep freeze coming starting Weds Oct 9^th evening. IF you haven’t had your sprinklers blown out and winterized already you should drain your sprinkler valves and turn off the water and sprinkler system TONIGHT or weds the 9^th at the latest. This short video will walk you thru that simple but imperative process. (Sterling Homes does not work with nor are we promoting this plumber seen in the video, it’s simply a very good tutorial of the process.)

As the days become shorter and the weather begins to turn chilly, it’s time to start getting your home prepared for the winter months ahead. A little work now can save a lot of time, energy and money in the long run. So take a look at our suggested checklist and make sure you’ve got everything all ready for winter!

Get Your Furnace Checked
One of the most important things to do before winter sets in is get your furnace checked before you need to rely on the heat. A regular checkup for your furnace will prolong its life, prevent carbon monoxide leaks and ensure everything is in working order. This tune-up will also ensure you’re getting maximum efficiency from your unit and not wasting your money.

Change Furnace Filters
A visit from your HVAC professional can tell you if it’s time for your furnace filters to be replaced if you aren’t already doing this. Changing the filter allows you to keep the furnace from clogging, keeps it running more efficiently and stops it from circulating allergens and other harmful particles. How often the filter needs to be replaced will vary depending on what type of filter you get, so a little research may be needed.

Keep the Pipes Warm
Frozen pipes can burst, which can be a major debacle. They can require complicated fixes and result in serious flood damage if you’re not careful. To prevent this from happening, don’t completely turn off your heat when you leave the house. According to the Red Cross, keeping the temperature around 55°F will be enough to ensure pipes stay sufficiently warm.
If you’re going to be gone for an extended period and don’t want a high gas bill, you can turn off the water and drain the water pipes.
It’s easy to forget the outdoor hose spigot, but the water can freeze up and cause problems in your pipes. In order to prevent this, you can buy a foam covering that goes over the spigot and creates an air pocket around it. If you’re looking for a more low-tech option, put a towel around the faucet, although it may not seal as well.
If possible, you can also turn off the outdoor faucet’s water supply and drain the remaining water. This will eliminate the need for extra insulation.
 
Get your Sprinkler System lines Blown Out
We’ve heard it time and time again: I didn’t blow out my sprinkler system last year and I didn’t have a problem. Or, I’ve been doing it this way for years. Or, I have an auto-drain sprinkler system. Well, it’s time to take off your stubborn hat and let us explain why it’s a good idea to have your sprinkler professionally blown out for the winter. After all, your sprinkler system is the longest lasting appliance in your house. Take a little care and you’ll get 40-60 years of life out of it!
 
Many people often just turn off their sprinkler and let it drain out. In that instance we’re just hoping that evaporation takes place in the ground and cross your fingers after the first freeze, nothing happens.
 
There is one potential problem with that method – sprinkler pipes are not always installed with the pipes parallel to the ground; there are often peaks and valleys in the pipe. In other words, there may be one part of your hose that forms a dip, creating a great place for water to collect and freeze, and even a little bit of ice in one spot will destroy over time.
 
When the water freezes and expands, the PVC pipe will likely burst in multiple places. Furthermore, frozen water trapped in the backflow assembly will cause destruction to the internal components of the pipe. This kind of damage would cost much more than the cost of the having a professional blow out.
 
Reverse Your Ceiling Fans
When it’s the middle of winter and freezing outside, it’s probably safe to say that most of us aren’t thinking about our ceiling fans. However, running fans in the colder months can actually save up to 10% on heating costs and is as simple as flipping a switch.
In the summer months, the slightly angled blades of a ceiling fan turn counterclockwise to move air down, making people feel cooler due to a concept known as the wind chill effect. During winter, the warm air generated by your heating system naturally rises to the ceiling while cooler air sinks. By switching the direction that your fan blades turn, that cooler air is drawn upwards, which forces the warmer air near the ceiling back down into the space.

Fire Up the Fireplaces
It is normal if your fireplace doesn’t start right away after being dormant for the spring and summer months. IF this happens and your fireplaces are not starting you can contact your fireplace distributor to walk you thru how to get them started and ready for use again. If you are unsure on what distributor you can simply call Jillian and she can get you connected to the right person. 
AMI Fireplace: 303-371-0123
Fireplace warehouse: 303-296-3823

From all of us at Sterling Custom Homes we hope you enjoy the wonderful autumn season!
And of course, if you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to Warranty / Jillian Moster at 303-549-2586