Preparing Your Wisconsin Home for Winter: Essential Tips for Homeowners

As the crisp air and falling leaves signal the arrival of autumn, it's time for homeowners in Wisconsin to get ready for the impending winter season. Whether you're new to the Badger State or simply a first-time homeowner, preparing your property for the colder months is crucial to ensure safety, comfort, and efficiency. Here are some essential tips for fall cleanup and winterizing your home before the snow starts to fall. 1. Inspect and Service Your Heating System Before winter hits, it's vital to ensure that your heating system is working efficiently. Contact a professional HVAC technician to inspect and service your furnace, boiler, or heat pump. Regular maintenance not only prolongs the life of your heating system but also helps lower energy bills by keeping the system running efficiently. Don't forget to change the furnace filter to improve air quality and system efficiency. Pro Tip: If you have a fireplace, now's the time to clean the chimney and stock up on firewood. A yearly chimney inspection can also prevent creosote buildup, which can pose a fire hazard. 2. Seal Windows and Doors Cold drafts from poorly sealed windows and doors can make your home uncomfortable and cause your heating system to work overtime. Check for gaps, cracks, or spaces around windows, doors, and other openings. Use weather stripping or caulking to seal any gaps and prevent warm air from escaping. Bonus: If you have older windows, consider using plastic insulation film to add an extra layer of protection. It’s an affordable way to reduce heat loss and improve energy efficiency. 3. Check Insulation Proper insulation is key to keeping your home warm during Wisconsin's harsh winters. Inspect your attic, walls, and basement to ensure they have adequate insulation. If needed, add extra insulation to keep the warmth in and the cold out. Additionally, insulating your pipes can prevent freezing, which can lead to costly damage. Pro Tip: Consider insulating your garage door as well, especially if you have a room above the garage. This can make a noticeable difference in your home's overall warmth. 4. Clean and Inspect Gutters Clogged gutters can lead to ice dams, which can cause water to back up into your home and result in roof and wall damage. Clear your gutters of leaves, twigs, and other debris before the first snowfall. Make sure the downspouts direct water away from your home's foundation to prevent potential water damage. If you’re short on time or unable to clean them yourself, consider searching for "fall cleanup services near me" to find professionals who can help with your gutter cleaning needs. 5. Winterize Outdoor Faucets and Sprinkler Systems Freezing temperatures can wreak havoc on outdoor plumbing. Disconnect and drain garden hoses, then store them indoors for the winter. Shut off the water supply to outdoor faucets and open the faucet to drain any remaining water. If you have an irrigation or sprinkler system, have it professionally winterized to prevent damage from frozen pipes. 6. Inspect the Roof Your roof is your home's first line of defense against the elements, so it's essential to inspect it before winter. Look for missing, cracked, or loose shingles and have them repaired. Check for signs of leaks, especially around vents, chimneys, and skylights. A well-maintained roof helps prevent ice dams and protects your home from water damage. Pro Tip: Clear any leaves, branches, or debris from your roof to ensure that snow and ice can melt and flow off easily. 7. Trim Overhanging Trees Snow and ice can weigh down tree branches, causing them to snap and potentially damage your roof, windows, or power lines. Trim any overhanging branches near your home to reduce this risk. If you're not comfortable doing this yourself, consider hiring a professional tree service to handle it safely. 8. Stock Up on Winter Supplies Prepare for winter storms by stocking up on essential supplies. Ensure you have ice melt, sand, snow shovels, and a reliable snow blower if needed. Keep a supply of emergency items like batteries, flashlights, blankets, and a first aid kit in case of power outages or severe weather. Bonus Tip: For added peace of mind, consider investing in a portable generator to keep your home powered during extended outages. 9. Test Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors Winter often means an increase in the use of fireplaces, heaters, and other sources of carbon monoxide. Make sure all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are in good working condition by testing them and replacing batteries if needed. These devices are crucial for keeping your family safe during the colder months. 10. Prepare for Ice and Snow Removal Snow and ice can quickly accumulate on driveways, walkways, and stairs, creating a hazard. Keep your snow removal tools handy and consider applying a layer of salt or ice melt to prevent ice buildup. If you have a snowblower, make sure it is serviced and ready to use. Pro Tip: Mark the edges of your driveway and walkways with stakes to make snow removal easier and prevent damage to your lawn or landscaping. 11. Don’t Forget the Fall Cleanup A thorough fall cleanup is crucial for winter home preparation. Rake leaves, trim back bushes, and clear away dead plants from your yard. This helps to prevent mold growth, allows your lawn to breathe, and makes snow removal easier later on. If you don't have the time, many "fall cleanup services near me" can handle this task for you. Conclusion Winter in Wisconsin can be beautiful, but it also comes with its challenges. By taking these proactive steps, you can tackle the fall cleanup and get a head start on your winter home maintenance. From inspecting the roof to stocking up on winter supplies, following these winter home preparation tips will keep your property safe, warm, and energy-efficient throughout the colder months. If you have questions or need assistance with your home winterization, don’t hesitate to reach out to John Reuter of Integrity Homes. We're here to help you make the most of your new home, no matter the season!

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Unlocking Solar Potential in Wisconsin: Navigating Challenges and Opportunities with $62 Million Federal Grant

Wisconsin is set to receive a $62 million grant from the Biden administration through the Solar for All initiative, funded by the Inflation Reduction Act, to support the installation of solar power in residential and community projects. This federal initiative aims to make solar energy more accessible, particularly to low- and moderate-income households, and is part of a nationwide effort to develop solar projects for over 900,000 homes. Francisco Sayu, vice president of productivity and sustainability at the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), expressed optimism about the positive impact of this initiative on Wisconsin residents. The WEDC, which secured the grant, had originally applied for $100 million to fund solar projects on single-family and multi-family homes, as well as small-scale community solar gardens that residents can subscribe to. Despite the substantial funding, the implementation faces legal and regulatory challenges. Current state law only allows utility companies to sell electricity, which complicates the potential for community and multi-family solar projects where third parties might manage the installations. These projects are not yet widespread in Wisconsin due to these regulatory barriers and the higher cost structure of utility-managed solar programs, where subscribers typically pay a premium. Solar Farm Dane County Regional Airpot Madison, Wisconsin Community solar, typically ranging from 1-5 megawatts and covering up to 30 acres, allows community members to subscribe to the solar array. This is particularly beneficial for renters or those whose homes are unsuitable for individual solar installations. However, changes in state policy may be necessary to fully utilize the federal funds, as existing laws limit the development of third-party managed solar projects. The Wisconsin Public Service Commission is currently reconsidering its policy requiring individual electric meters for each unit in multi-family buildings, which has been a significant financial hurdle for developers aiming to implement building-wide solar energy solutions. The reevaluation comes amid increasing requests for waivers to allow more centralized energy systems in such properties. Moreover, as stakeholders and state officials finalize the grant planning, there are ongoing discussions about how to effectively design programs within the existing legal framework to maximize customer savings and expand access to solar power, without necessitating new legislation. The grant is part of a broader federal effort to enhance energy efficiency and renewable energy adoption across the country, particularly in communities historically marginalized or underserved by energy investments. This initiative also aligns with the Biden administration’s Justice40 goal, which mandates that 40% of the benefits from federal climate programs go to disadvantaged communities. Follow our blog as we will dive into the more of the pros and cons for consumers with solar this week.   

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