Four Tips to Help Clients Stay Warm This Winter

Guest Blog: The Home Depot

Winter is making its blistery appearance across the country. Now is the time for remodelers and their teams to consider a few key maintenance projects that will ensure a hassle-free season for their clients. Contractors play a vital role in helping their clients prepare for and endure winter weather, ensuring their homes stand up to the cold, snow and ice to come.

Follow these steps to make weatherization for winter simple:

Tip 1: Protect Pipes and Plumbing

As a rule of thumb for weatherization, consider areas of the home that are often overlooked, since some upkeep may have fallen to the wayside during warmer weather. Remind homeowners to check on pipes underneath sinks and support them as they check behind walls to avoid unexpected issues when cold weather strikes.

Contractors can also advise homeowners going through a remodel to ensure pipes are thoroughly insulated and not producing any gaps prior to drops in temperature. In addition to reducing the frequency of burst pipes, insulation also cuts heat loss and increases the consistency of water temperature. Everbilt’s wall pipe insulation helps keep the heat in to maximize energy savings, and the closed cell structure is ideal for quick fix jobs since it is self-sealing.

Tip 2: Don’t Wait, Insulate!

Remodelers know that modern insulation can deliver benefits beyond temperature management. Home Depot merchants worked with Owens Corning to develop Pure Safety High Performance Insulation, the world’s first certified asthma and allergy-friendly insulation that’s also mold and mildew resistant.

Contractors should let their clients know a number of benefits that come with upgrading their insulation. Pure Safety insulation is fire-resistant, sound-absorbing and can lower energy bills by keeping heat in during the winter and the cool air outdoors. Both homeowners and remodelers will breathe easier taking the simple, yet necessary measure of doubling down on safer, higher quality insulation.

Once the attic and walls are insulated, sealing cracks and gaps throughout the home is a critical next step to ensure the home is ready to stand up against wind chill from drafts. According to the Department of Energy, reducing the amount of air leaks in and out of a home can cut heating costs, increase comfort and produce a healthier indoor living environment. These can all make for happier homeowners and potential new clients for contractors through word of mouth recommendations. Sealing and insulating outer walls, ceiling, windows and doors is often the best way to protect from drafts and keep spaces energy efficient.

Tip 3: Make Smart Changes for Big Impact

A smart home is an efficient home, and installing a smart thermostat has proven return on investment in savings each year. Switching to smart thermostats not only reduces the toll on the home’s HVAC system, but also upgrades living environments, allowing homeowners to be fully connected. This programmable thermostat from Ecobee can be controlled through Alexa voice-command technology or a smartphone, further classifying the client’s home as contemporary and sustainable. It is a great update to make during a broader renovation.

Clients should also replace their incandescent lights with LED lightbulbs. This is one guaranteed way homeowners can cut costs on electric bills in the winter during long nights and short days where energy usage may be higher than average.

Tip 4: Stay in Touch to Maintain Trust

As building professionals, homeowners and clients look to you for expert advice. Informing clients of small changes that can yield positive benefits this winter will help ensure you stay on the homeowner’s roster as a trusted vendor.

Advise clients to double check that floor registers are clear of furniture, so heat doesn’t get trapped underneath, and encourage homeowners to keep their blinds open during the day for heat from natural sunlight. Easy tricks like these can make all the difference during seasonal weather change.

Every year, winter brings forth maintenance challenges but many can be planned for in advance. Create your winter checklist, prep teams with the latest products and tips, and communicate to homeowners regularly to ensure every home is prepped and as warm as possible.

| 12/19/2018 12:00:00 AM | 7 comments
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