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The Real Deal
Homes need to be ready for really cold days
The recent cold snap that dusted our hills with snow may be just the catalyst to make sure homes are ready for winter. California's home warranty industry is alerting homeowners to the substantial economic benefits of "winterizing" homes.
Noting that the type of winterizing initiatives homeowners can take may vary by region, officials of the Home Warranty Association of California also emphasize the need for new homeowners to be particularly aware.
"It's understandable that new homeowners may be unfamiliar with operating systems of homes until they have lived there awhile, just as one is unfamiliar with the bells and whistles on a new car. As they live in a house, these new homeowners can become more adept at winterizing," said Dan Langston, the association's president.
Topping the list of measures suggested by the association is to be certain that furnace filters are clean. A dirty filter can interfere with the free flow of air, leading to higher fuel costs, overheating and eventual shutdown--and filters are an investment bargain, costing from just $3 to $6. It should be noted that warranty companies do not cover failures due to lack of maintenance.
Other winterizing tips offered by the Home Warranty Association of California include:
- Make sure registers for central heating are open in all rooms. The association reports frequent service calls from homeowners complaining that some rooms are not getting warm air. Check to see that registers are not blocked by drapes, curtains or furniture.
- There should be no gaps or holes in ducting, which result in energy waste. A symptom of this is the constant blowing of cold air into a room.
- Replace deteriorating weather stripping. Over the years weather stripping loses its capacity to block air. New energy conservation technologies have improved options for weather stripping.
- Set the water heater at low to medium. The association notes that most people set the temperature at medium to high all year round. Hotter is not necessarily better.
- Keep the pool chemical balance current, and remember that during the rainy season overfilling may cause problems. Chemicals in the water can damage plants and ground cover.
Winterizing the home can be a huge economic boon to homeowners since they may continually be reheating the home unnecessarily said Langston.
Typically a home warranty covers a home's major operating systems for one year after the close of escrow. Items covered include plumbing, heating and electrical systems, most built-in appliances, and water heaters. In recent years, most Home Warranty Association of California member companies have provided additional coverage for homeowners for such items as garage door openers, washer/dryers and refrigerators.
Home Warranty Association of California is a statewide organization of home warranty companies representing more than 95 percent of warranty contracts sold in California. For more information, check out the association's website at www.warrantyassn.com. Realtors also can provide information about the home warranty process. To find a local Realtor, check out the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors' website at www.siliconvalley-realtors.org.
Information provided in this column is presented by the Realtor members of the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors at www.siliconvalley-realtors.org. Send questions on any topic to jnewton@jnpr.com.
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Los Gatos, California Since 1881
