Community Corner
Winter is Coming: Protect Your Shore Home
During the dog days of summer, your shore home gets plenty of use, whether it’s being rented out for vacationers or it’s your family’s weekend retreat. Nearing the end of summer, after the last wave has been surfed, your shore home is ready for a vacation of it’s own.
Tom Hutchinson, co-owner of Hutchinson Plumbing Heating Cooling, says winterizing protects your investment. “For most people, it becomes an out-of-sight, out-of-mind scenario,” he says. “Be pro-active now, rather than coming down the shore at the beginning of next season to find out that you need to have major repairs, homeowners should take the necessary steps to avoid spending that money.” Hurricane Sandy is a major indication that the Jersey Shore is always at risk of being hit with extreme weather. “This year there are projected 16 to 18 named storms, 8 or 9 that may turn into hurricanes.” Here are tips to prepare the exterior of your shore home:
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· Cover AC Units Properly
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Tom suggests using something made specifically for AC units, and not just a traditional tarp. That type of material does not breathe, which means the unit never has a chance to dry out.
· Schedule a Heating System Service
Have a professional service your heating system to prevent breakdowns, loss of heat and frozen pipes. You will have peace of mind as well as lower utility bills this winter.
· Turn off all Outdoor Water – Showers, sprinklers, dock water lines
Empty all exterior hoses and water pipes to prevent the water in them from freezing and bursting. A professional will used compressed air to ensure all water is removed from piping.
· Winterize all water and appliances
This includes: cabanas, garages and unheated storage rooms
· Close Vents to Any Crawl Spaces
Secure access doors and close any vents to prevent cold air from getting in, as well as any rodents or animals.
· Schedule a Gutter Cleaning in Late October
This is the time of the year where leaves are collected and cause drainage issues.
· Protect Windows & Doors
Lock windows and screen doors to prevent wind from blowing them open.
Here are tips to prepare the inside of your home before you pack up for winter months:
· Winterize Your Home
Many homeowners do not use their vacation home during the fall, winter, and spring season. Call a professional to put your home in dormant state: drain your water system, seal drains, and turn off heating systems. For additional savings, homeowners may turn off utilities. In the spring, a professional can return and prepare home for the summer.
· Set thermostats around 55°
More and more people have been requesting ways to control thermostats by adding
Wi-Fi thermostats so they can monitor the home’s temperature while away.
· Storing food
Hutchinson recommends emptying the refrigerator completely or unplugging it and leaving the doors propped open to prevent smell. Store dry goods in sealed plastic bins to prevent the risk of infestation.
· Storing valuables
Pillows, couch cushions, clothing, linens, etc., should be stored in large plastic bags or storage bins. The moisture in the air at the shore can cause a bit of mildew to develop, so it’s best to keep items stored where they will stay dry.
· Provide the local police department with your emergency contact information
For more winterizing tips ‘like’ Hutchinson Plumbing Heating Cooling on Facebook and follow @TrustHutch on Twitter.
For the fourth year in a row, Hutchinson is ranked as ONE of the top THREE companies for Home-Energy Efficiency. Hutchinson is certified by the Department of Energy as an ENERGY STAR Home Performance Contractor and is trained by the Building Performance Institute (BPI) on how to best improve energy efficiency in residential homes. Additionally, BBB determined Hutchinson meets accreditation standards with an A+ rating. This accreditation includes a commitment to make good faith effort to resolve any consumer complaints.
ABOUT HUTCHINSON
Hutchinson Plumbing Heating Cooling is a family-run business dedicated to providing total home solutions to their South Jersey and Delaware Valley neighbors. Based in Cherry Hill, New Jersey they have been in business for over 60 years. Hutchinson is a full-service company offering heating, cooling, and plumbing products and services. Hutchinson is accredited by the Department of Energy, ranked first in the nation by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for exceptional performance and won the EPA Century Award. Additionally, Hutchinson gained an A+ accreditation rating from BBB. For more information about Hutchinson, visit their website TrustHutch.com.