Winterizing Your Home in the Bay Area

One of the great attractions of living in the San Francisco Bay area is the year-round mild weather. But the winter months in the Bay Area can still be uncomfortable, at least relatively speaking, with temps in the 40s and 50s, periods of rain, sudden storms and high winds. The possibility of power outages during storms means you might not even have the option of a space heater to keep the chill off during a cold snap. It pays for homeowners to do some winter prep to keep the cold at bay in the Bay Area.

Bay Area Home Winterization Tips

• Plug the Gaps
  The average home has all kinds of small spaces that can let the outside air in, especially in older houses. Gaps around windows and doors are the most common places for cold air to enter, but the access holes where pipes and utilities come into the home are also problem areas. Use caulk or adhesive rubber weather strips to seal the areas around doors and windows, and spray foam insulation to tackle holes on the outside.
• Add More Insulation
  Older homes in the Bay Area often don’t have enough insulation; this can be the case with newer homes as well. Adding extra layers of insulation to attics, crawl spaces and basements is fairly easy, though adding it to walls usually requires a professional contractor.
• Buy a Generator
  Unfortunately, power outages are not uncommon in the Bay Area. A backup generator is a great insurance against outages throughout the year and can power your whole house. These use natural gas or liquid propane (LP) fuel, and sit outside,just like a central air conditioning unit. Other options include smaller portable generators or battery generators to operate the essentials until the electricity comes back on.
• Install a Programmable Thermostat
  Using a thermostat that you can program for different temperatures at different times is a good way to lower your utility bills. It allows you to keep the temperature in your house low while you’re sleeping or at work and warm it back up before you wake up or come home, cutting down on wasted energy. You’ll be surprised at how much money you can save.

As an electrical contractor, it’s our professional duty to identify and provide solutions for any electrical issue regarding your health and safety. If you have questions about electrical service or repair, Divine Electric is here when you need us.