Prepare Now for a Safe, Warm, and Energy-Efficient Winter
December in Minnesota means cold temperatures, snowstorms, and long nights—and your home needs to be ready for all of it. Properly winterizing your home before the heart of winter hits helps prevent costly damage, keeps your family safe, and ensures your heating system doesn’t have to work harder than it should.
At Four Seasons Air Specialists, we’ve been helping White Bear Lake homeowners prepare for the cold since 1974. Here’s your December checklist to make sure your home is fully winter-ready.
✅ 1. Schedule a Furnace Tune-Up (If You Haven’t Already)
Your furnace is the heart of your home in winter. If you haven’t had your fall maintenance yet, now is the time.
🛠 What a tune-up includes:
- Inspecting and cleaning the burners, blower, and heat exchanger
- Checking thermostat calibration
- Ensuring safe gas connections and carbon monoxide testing
- Replacing or cleaning the air filter
💡 A properly tuned system runs more efficiently, heats more evenly, and reduces the risk of mid-winter breakdowns.
✅ 2. Replace or Clean Your Air Filter
Your furnace’s filter should be changed every 1–3 months—especially during heavy use in the winter.
📌 Why it matters:
- Improves airflow
- Reduces strain on your HVAC system
- Helps maintain better indoor air quality
🎄 Holiday tip: If you’re hosting guests this month, your system will be working even harder—so a fresh filter is a must.
✅ 3. Seal Up Drafts Around Windows and Doors
Cold air can easily sneak in through gaps, making your home colder and your energy bills higher.
🪟 How to seal drafts:
- Add or replace weatherstripping
- Use caulk to seal gaps and cracks
- Install door sweeps
- Hang thermal curtains to retain heat
💡 Quick fix: Use draft stoppers or rolled towels at the base of doors.
✅ 4. Insulate Exposed Pipes
Frozen pipes can burst and cause thousands of dollars in damage.
🧊 Prevent this by:
- Wrapping pipes in foam insulation
- Using heat tape for pipes in extremely cold or uninsulated areas
- Keeping cabinet doors open on particularly cold nights to let warm air circulate around pipes
- 🚰 Also: Allow faucets to drip slowly to keep water moving in sub-zero temps.
✅ 5. Check Attic and Basement Insulation
Heat rises—and if your attic isn’t insulated properly, much of your warm air is escaping. The same goes for a poorly insulated basement.
🔍 What to look for:
- At least R-49 insulation in the attic for Minnesota homes
- Insulation on basement rim joists and exposed walls
- Signs of moisture or condensation that could lead to mold
✅ 6. Prepare Your Thermostat Settings
Your thermostat can help reduce energy bills—if it’s set correctly.
🌡 Recommended settings:
- 68°F when you’re home and awake
- 60–64°F when you’re asleep or away
Use a programmable or smart thermostat to automatically adjust for efficiency
🎁 Bonus Tip: If you’re traveling for the holidays, don’t turn the heat off. Keep it set to at least 55°F to prevent frozen pipes.
✅ 7. Winterize Outdoor HVAC Equipment
Your outdoor AC unit doesn’t need to run in the winter—but it still needs protection.
🧰 What to do:
- Shut off power to the unit from the electrical panel
- Clear leaves and debris from around the unit
- Cover the top with a breathable, waterproof cover (don’t wrap the entire unit—trapped moisture can cause rust)
✅ 8. Test Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
With the furnace running and windows closed, air quality and safety are top priorities.
🔋 Checklist:
- Replace batteries in all detectors
- Test each unit
- Install a CO detector on each floor and near bedrooms
🔥 Tip: If you have a fireplace, this step is even more critical.
✅ 9. Prepare for Power Outages
Heavy snow and ice can cause outages. Make sure your family is ready.
⚡️ Winter emergency prep:
Flashlights, batteries, and blankets
- Backup heat source (space heater, fireplace, or generator)
- Non-perishable food and bottled water
- Phone chargers (battery or solar powered)
✅ 10. Reverse Ceiling Fans
Did you know ceiling fans can help warm your home in winter?
🔁 Flip the switch on your fan so the blades spin clockwise on low. This gently pushes warm air from the ceiling back down into the room.
Stay Warm, Safe, and Efficient This Winter
Winterizing your home in December protects your investment, lowers your utility bills, and ensures your HVAC system runs smoothly through the coldest months.
At Four Seasons Air Specialists, we’re here to help you every step of the way with:
✅ Furnace maintenance and safety checks
✅ Insulation and ductwork evaluations
✅ Whole-home humidifiers and air quality solutions
✅ Emergency service—just in case
📞 Need help winterizing your home? Schedule your service today at: 651.426.5254
