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Get Your Home Ready for Winter

Simple steps to keep your home warm, safe and efficient all winter long.

As temperatures begin to drop across Montana, now is a great time to prepare your home for the colder months ahead. A little maintenance now can help keep your family comfortable, improve energy efficiency and prevent unexpected problems when winter weather arrives.

Start by checking your heating system. Replace furnace filters, make sure vents are clear and schedule maintenance if needed. Check windows and doors for drafts, seal gaps with weatherstripping or caulk and consider adding insulation where needed to help keep warm air inside. Ceiling fans can also help during winter by running clockwise at a low speed to push warm air back down into living spaces.

Outside, disconnect garden hoses, shut off and drain outdoor faucets and cover exposed pipes to help prevent freezing. Clean gutters and downspouts so melting snow can drain properly and check your roof for any visible damage. If you have a fireplace or wood stove, make sure it is clean and ready for use.

Finally, remember to keep safety in mind. Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, check that space heaters are in good condition and keep anything combustible away from heating equipment.

Taking a little time to prepare now can help your home stay warmer, safer and more energy-efficient throughout the Montana winter.

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