Winter seems to sneak up on everyone each year and if you’re not prepared, it can create unnecessary day to day challenges. We’ve got you covered with some most useful tips and tricks for thriving in those chilly winter months! 

Have HVAC professionally inspected 

The worst time to find out there’s a problem with your HVAC system is when you really need it. That’s why it’s crucial to make sure everything is operating properly prior to that first winter freeze! 

Service sprinklers and irrigation system

If you’ve lived in an area with colder winters before then this one may already be back of mind. For those of you who are new to freezing temperatures in the winter, it’s absolutely crucial you have your sprinklers blown out before the first freeze. If there is water remaining in your sprinkler lines when the ground freezes, it could cost you thousands in repairs come spring. 

Turn off, drain, and coil hoses

Similar to servicing your sprinklers, you must make sure your hoses are drained and disconnected from the hose bibs before the first freeze. It’s a safe bet that anything outside containing water will inevitably freeze in the winter months. 

Stock up on ice melt 

Ice melt will save you from a world of hazards and hassle when the ground freezes. Whether it’s on an outdoor patio, walking paths, outdoor stairs, or your driveway, walking and driving on ice is a hazard! If you keep a bag of ice melt on hand though, all of your outdoor walking surfaces can remain much safer throughout the winter. Just be sure to store this in a closed container away from the elements. 

Close top vents if you have a top/bottom return vent setup
You can maximize your heating system by closing the top vents in your home. This should only be done if you have a top/bottom return vent setup. Heat will naturally rise to the top of your home so an extra way to maximize the heat in your home would be to change the direction of your ceiling fans. Changing your fan direction will help push the hot air from your ceiling to the ground. 

Clean and repair gutters and downspouts to remove leaves and debris

Another essential to avoiding unnecessary repairs come spring would be cleaning and repairing your gutters before the first freeze. If you have any blockage from the fall foliage, you’ll want to make sure it's cleared out before water builds up and freezes in your gutters in the winter. 

Keep Windshield de-icer in your vehicle

Did you know that you could buy de-icer in the form of a spray? If not, this will be a huge time saver for you in the morning! Keeping a bottle of de-icer spray in your car will make the headache of running late disappear. It is also key to keep a good ice scraper in your car and even a small snow shovel for emergencies. 

Have at least 2 snow shovels 

Speaking of snow shovels, it’s always a good idea to have at least 2 of those. If you happen to break one shovel, that’s usually not the most opportune time to go and buy another. That's why we recommend just keeping at least 2 on hand at all times. It also helps to share the work! 

While Winter in Boise is incredibly manageable for the most part, it’s always best to fall on the side of being over prepared. After all, you never hear of anyone saying they wish they were less prepared for something!