With Fall already upon us and Winter fast approaching, if you want to avoid Montauk home repair costs come Springtime, there are some simple steps that you can begin to take now. As anyone knows who has lived in Montauk, water damage from melting snow and ice can be compounded by the winds whipping in water spray from all sides, be it the Atlantic, Fort Pond Bay, Lake Montauk, Tobaccolot Bay, or Napeague Bay in Amagansett — that's what makes Montauk home repair and water damage so tricky to deal with. Add another late season storm to the picture like the one we had last year and you can understand the consequences.
But with these great tips for winterizing your Montauk home, repairs will be the last thing on your mind as you enjoy the season in warmth and most importantly of all, safety. Plus, many of these tips will help you cut down on energy expenses, so if you do need home repairs in Montauk, the Hamptons or Amagansett, come Spring, you'll have some extra cash lying around. If you ever wanted to ask a contractor about winterization, here's your answer!
Clean your furnace filters at least once a month during the heating season. Or better yet, switch to electrostatic filters or genuine HEPA filters which are permanent and much better at trapping viruses, bacteria and mold.
Drain all air conditioning hoses and/or pipes. Any excess water that is sitting around inside your home should be drained completely. Not only will this prevent freezing pipes that tend to bursts, but will also eliminate the indoor home water damage that's so prevalent in Montauk.
Lower the temperature in your water heater. Many conventional water heaters are automatically set to 140° F by Montauk home renovation professionals, but this is overkill in most situations. To cut down on your water heating costs (by up to 10%) and unnecessary strain on your water heater, turn the temperature down to 120°F.
Install storm windows and doors. As many found out in the aftermath of Sandy, it pays to have some protection in place beforehand, rather than paying Montauk home repair companies to clean up the mess afterward. Simply have a Montauk home renovation expert come and install them for you.
Keep an eye on the thermostat. Of course, this should probably go without saying, but with estimates of 50% to 70% of heating bills going to wasted heat, are you really turning off the heat when you're not home? Better double check.
Consider using an energy monitor. If you can't—or don't want to—keep track of your energy usage on your own, there are energy monitors available that give you real time data on household electrical usage, providing you with a simple way to monitor your projected energy bills.
Get better insulation. Of course, the best way to cut down on your heating bill and stay warm this winter is by upgrading your insulation.
This list is just the tip of the iceberg—thankfully we haven't spotted any of those off of Ditch Plains or at the Montauk Lighthouse yet! For a more complete evaluation and help preparing your home for the colder weather, click here right now to contact Hamptons Renovations Maintenance and Repair, your source for all Montauk home repairs, renovations and winter preparations.