5 Tips to Get Your North Shore Chicago Home Ready for Winter

The temperatures have been slowly dropping on the North Shore and we all know snow is on its way! It won't be long before we're bringing out the shovels and lighting a fire to stay warm inside, but there are just a few steps to take to ensure your home is fully ready for the winter ahead.

In order to maximize energy efficiency in your Deerfield, Glencoe, Winnetka, Northbrook or Highland Park home and lessen the chances of emergency repairs when the weather takes a toll, now is the time to take care of the following maintenance tasks:

Assess insulation 
There should not be any gaps in insulation or crawl spaces that expose pipes to cold air. If pipes are left exposed, North Shore homeowners run the risk of freezing and bursting!

Look into heating
Your home's heating system is never more important than in the winter months! It is wise to invite a licensed technician to inspect your heating elements this fall before the cold weather requires you run the system every day.

Block out the cold
Older homes can be drafty, especially as the blustery, winter wind picks up. Take precautions to block any drafts around doors, windows and baseboards with weather stripping or caulk to prevent heat loss and what every North Shore homeowner desires to avoid— higher energy costs.

Inspect your fireplace
You'll likely be using your home's fireplace often this winter, so it's time you call your local chimney sweep. An experienced chimney sweep can clean your fireplace to prevent the risk of fire from blockages or years of buildup.

Re-route your fans
Did you know you can set your ceiling fans to rotate clockwise to force the rising warm air back down? Not only does this keep your home warmer during the winter months, but it also helps you keep heating costs on the lower side.

You can count on me to provide helpful tips for homeowners, sellers and buyers alike! As your North Shore real estate expert, I am here to make your real estate journey run as smoothly as possible. Do not hesitate to reach out!

I am happy to answer any questions you have about buying or selling a home as well as provide a list of available properties in Deerfield, Glencoe, Winnetka, Northbrook, Highland Park and beyond!

Janie Bress
Your North Shore Real Estate Expert

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