Contact: NOVEC Public Relations, 1-888-335-0500, customerservice@novec.com
MANASSAS, Va. –Many weather
forecasters are predicting a snowy winter again this year. Therefore, the Northern Virginia
Electric Cooperative is encouraging
homeowners to prepare their homes for cold weather now before anything like a
polar vortex reaches the region.
"Last winter's polar weather put
almost half the nation into a deep freeze," notes Bob James, NOVEC energy
specialist. "The extreme cold froze outdoor fountains and indoor plumbing. It
made walking to school or work, or waiting for a bus an ordeal. And it caused
heating systems to run almost continuously to keep people warm indoors. That
meant higher energy bills."
James urges everyone to
prepare for winter weather in October –National Energy Action Month –before
Old Man Winter shows up again and makes energy bills soar."
'Stock up on firewood, sweaters, and hot cocoa'
Meteorologists differ on
their long-range forecasts, but many predict both temperate and cold
temperatures, and more snow for the Mid-Atlantic region.
The Farmers' Almanac, which was amazingly accurate last winter,
predicts colder than normal temperatures for three-fourths of the nation, but close
to normal on the East Coast. Nevertheless, it says, "we are expecting an active
storm track with a number of storms delivering copious amounts of snow and rain"
over the eastern third of the country. They are "red flagging" late January and
early February along the Atlantic Seaboard for "active wintery weather," and
the middle of March in the Washington, D.C., region for "widespread wintry
conditions." In conclusion, the
prognosticators say, "all of us at the Farmers' Almanac suggest you stock up on
firewood, sweaters, and hot cocoa. It certainly looks like another long winter
of shivery and shovelry is on tap."
LiveWeatherBlog.com concurs
that temperatures will be at or slightly above normal temperatures in the
Washington, D.C., region, with some spring-like days in January.It says, "The Sub Tropical Jet or
Southern Jet will have a huge impact on the weather along the Atlantic Coast
and when combined with strong El Nino waves from the West Coast the chances are
greater than 60 percent of a nor'easter over 6 inches of snow this winter. It's
the nor'easter type of storms that will push the seasonal average to 18 percent
above normal. … Expect the unexpected … mild and sunny one week and cold and
snowy the next."
Preparing for Old Man Winter
James
says, "Whether our weather is normal or abnormal, it's important to plug air
leaks. They can account for 35 percent of annual energy loss. Do it now because
you don't want to apply caulk and weatherstripping when it's below 40 degrees."
James
says homeowners can learn how to weatherize their homes at www.novec.com/save and from books at libraries, book stores, and home
stores. "People who aren't do-it-yourselfers can go on NOVEC's website to see a
list of local residential energy auditors who have given their contact
information to us," says James. "Type Residential Auditors in the search bar."
Whether doing-it-yourself or hiring
professionals, check off NOVEC's winter-prep-to-do list:
- Wash windows to let sunshine help heat the home.
- Close storm windows and lock regular windows when
cold weather arrives.
- Since glass is the coldest interior surface in
winter, insulate windows with treatments and close them at night. As an
extra wind barrier for single-paned windows, adhere plastic, available in
kits at hardware and home stores, to interior window frames.
- Apply weather-stripping around drafty windows and
exterior doors.
- Attach insulating door sweeps to block cold air
from seeping under door thresholds.
- Install an attic-entrance insulating cover.
- Remove old,
cracked caulk and apply new silicone or latex caulk with a caulking gun around
windows, doors, and fireplace hearths. Spray expandable foam around pipes,
wires, and vents that go outside.
- Insert foam rubber pads under wall-outlet and switch
covers, and push child-protection inserts into outlets to stop drafts.
- Replace air-system filter now and monthly. A
dirty filter restricts air flow and makes the system work harder.
- Have a heating and cooling professional inspect
the heating system.
- Purchase glass doors for an open fireplace. Close
the damper and glass doors when the fireplace is not in use to prevent as
much as 14 percent of heated air from going up the chimney flue.
- Have between R38 and R60 insulation –either
in rolls or loose –between attic joists. Professionals can insulate existing
walls, or install rigid foam sheathing or insulating wrap before residing the
house.
