Cold temperatures in Albuquerque, NM can be a burden to homeowners. Is your home winterized and prepared?

Old Man Winter has arrived, bringing frosty temperatures and snowy peaks to Albuquerque. While the southwest might be dry, the evening temperatures fall faster than snow during a blizzard. Even though our area isn’t known for heavy precipitation, with an average snowfall of 13 inches per year, winter certainly affects homeowners. The average January temperature is just barely above freezing at 36.2F!

With low temperatures and wintertime weather, it’s likely you’ll need to turn up your thermostat a few degrees. Unfortunately, that may mean your gas bill will also increase some too. During the winter, gas bills can increase up to six times higher than during the summer!

It’s time for homeowners to make sure their homes are winter-proofed by tackling some of these minor maintenance jobs. These tips and tricks will help you keep your home safe and sound this winter.

Inspect the Heating System 

The earlier you inspect your heating system, the better.

It’s important to start out by checking your heating system to see if there is any need for professional servicing or maintenance. A heating system that works well and is in good repair means you’ll be spending less money on energy because they’re far more efficient. You can also change the heating system filter for better efficiency.

A great second step is to reverse your ceiling fans. This will help create an updraft so heat will be pushed down from the ceiling into the rest of the room.

Check Your Roof 

While it’s important to check your roof no matter where you’re living, different parts of the country feature different architectural styles. Especially in Albuquerque. Some homes in Albuquerque feature pueblo-style roofing, or even flat roofs. If your home has one of these two styles, it’s important to make sure water can drain from your roof.

Be sure to remove any kinds of debris from your roof such as leaves and pine needles. Doing so will help make sure there isn’t excessive moisture retention there. It’s also important to make sure your gutters are clear, too. Otherwise, water can back up and cause roof damage, leaks, and other unfortunate icy-incidents.   

Trap Heat Inside

Even though winter in Albuquerque can be relatively mild, no one likes a cold house. However, turning up the thermostat will only increase a gas bill. With that being said, there are many steps you can take to trap heat inside to make the house cozy.

For instance, a humidifier can help add moisture to the air so it isn’t drying. The added moisture will warm up the air some because moisture helps retain heat. Be sure to open the window blinds or curtains to let the winter sunlight in, too. This will help add a little bit of extra warmth.

If you can’t get away with a lower temperature in your home, be sure to set your thermostat to operate efficiently while you’re out of the house. You can program the thermostat to raise the temperature an hour or so before you get home from work, which will help warm the house up before you arrive. Thanks to Albuquerque’s high altitude, the temperature will drop at night much more than it will during the day. Setting your thermostat accordingly can help you save on your utility bills this winter.

If there are gaps between door frames, windows, and weatherstrips, it may be worth applying new caulking. Silicone caulk won’t shrink with the cold weather in New Mexico! These areas are known for letting out heat, so it’s best to seal these cracks up.

Another place to inspect is interior storage space. You can lose heat through storage spaces like attics and crawl spaces. One way to make sure you’re not losing heat through your attic is to close off immediate access using a plastic sheet or blanket.

Don’t forget to close vents in rooms you aren’t using during the winter. This will help keep heat blowing where you need it.

Download our ‘Winterize Your Home’ checklist to keep up with your wintertime preparations. Set yourself up for a safe, cozy winter with these tips and tricks.