The winter season officially begins on December 21, 2023, and lasts until March 19, 2024. Of course, it’s not unusual to see Floridians in shorts and flip flops on Christmas day, but we could also experience some cold fronts this year.
According to the Florida Climate Center, “Over the past 150 years, numerous severe cold outbreaks have affected Florida. In February 1899, a cold wave that became known as the Great Arctic Outbreak pushed frigid Canadian arctic air into the state. During this event, the lowest temperature ever recorded in Florida (-2°F) occurred on February 13, 1899.”
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recently released their winter outlook for the nation, and the NOAA predicts “wetter-than-average conditions” for Florida during the months of December, January, and February. For more information and some historical averages for your area click this weather tool.
While temps below freezing are rare (and below zero, nearly impossible), they often dip low enough to warrant our turning on the heater or lighting the fireplace to stay warm.
Since it’s still sunny and gorgeous outside, now is the perfect time to prepare for winter. Here’s a checklist to get you started:
- Check your furnace and gas appliance(s)
- Check your fireplace and chimney
- Check air filters in the house
- Check the batteries in your smoke detectors
- Check the expiration date on your fire extinguisher
Be sure to clean, repair, or replace anything that comes up lacking. Lastly, refresh your memory about fire safety and dangerous toxins like carbon monoxide.
Tips to Prep Your Home for a Safe Winter
We have several tips to help you prepare for whatever Florida decides to bring us this season, knowing that our weather can fluctuate wildly from the peninsula’s northern panhandle to the state’s southernmost point.
When it’s cold, we use parts of our home that we don’t use during other parts of the year—our fireplace, gas heaters, and our chimney, just to name a few. So we need to make sure these are cleaned and prepped and safe to use. Don’t wait until you’re freezing to turn them on for the first time, and, remember, they’ve been sitting unused all year and may need to be cleaned and/or repaired before they are in optimal condition.
Check out this complete guide to getting your fireplace ready for winter. Here are a few quick tips:
- Chimney
- You might know of a chimney sweep from the 1964 Disney movie Mary Poppins and the beloved character played by Dick Van Dyke, who (along with Jule Andrews) sang “Chim Chim Cher-ee” while he worked. The National Fire Safety Prevention Association claims that failure to clean the chimney properly is a contributing factor in more than one in four home heating fires.
- Mark Hudson, CEO at Hudson Chimney, suggests using a flashlight and taking a look around before starting the first fire of the season. No matter what kind of wood you burn, they all create “creosote,” or the carbons that burn off the wood. This byproduct can rise and cling to the inside of the flue, where new flames could catch the dried residue on fire. According to Hudson, the best time to clean your chimney is early spring after you had your last fire, but if that wasn’t done, at least look for this buildup and get rid of it before winter hits.
- Fireplace
- Although not as common in Florida as up North, there are many homeowners who enjoy an indoor fireplace. Be sure to schedule a professional inspection—both wood and gas fireplaces should be inspected at least once a year.
- Clear the clutter from around your fireplace and clean the fireplace blower if you have one. Blowers help effectively spread the heat throughout the house. Without a thorough cleaning, you could just be blowing dust all over the place instead of heating your home.
- Fire, Smoke, Toxins
-
- On a scale from bad to worst, fire (even smoke) can damage personal belongings inside the home, burn down the entire house, and cause death to those inside.
- Gas heaters emit dangerous toxins such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and formaldehyde. According to Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, it’s vital to know that “when a heater is not flued to the outside of the home, or if a heater is faulty or old, and a room is not adequately ventilated, these gases can build up to hazardous levels.” Here are some additional tips for people with gas appliances in their homes.
Some final advice on staying safe: Always make sure you have a fire extinguisher on hand. Install fire alarms throughout the house, replace the batteries, and regularly check to make sure the alarms are in working order. Check your HVAC to make sure your heating system is well-maintained; this includes clean coils, a clean filter, and a clean blower wheel inside the air handler. Loose wires in the heating element can also start a fire.
Don’t risk your home’s safety or the safety of those you love—hire a professional today to make sure you’re ready for winter.
Is There a Construction Company Near Me Who Can Help Get My Home Ready for Winter?
Straight Line Construction partners with Sentinel Roofing, one of the best roofing contractors in central Florida, because Sentinel is dedicated to providing affordable and reliable roofing options to residents in Alachua and Marion counties.
The Sentinel Roofing team prioritizes customer service and delivers the best roofing experience possible—whether you need an emergency roof repair, a roof inspection, or an entirely new roof for your residential or commercial property.
We also recommend our community partner Always a Sweep, a chimney and dryer vent service company that has been protecting Florida hearths and homes since 1982. More than a chimney sweep, the team also provides services related to each of the following, and more:
- Water Intrusion
- Attic Ladders
- Dryer Vent Cleaning and Repair
- Dryer Wall Box Installation
- Dryer Wall Exhaust Termination
- Dryer Flex Hose Replacements
- Gas Appliances
No matter what your roof or chimney is made of, Always a Sweep can help—with leaks, caps, chase covers, flashing, dampers, and smoke chambers—plus repairs, reclines, and rebuilds.
If you want to add a fireplace to your home, or renovate your current style, Straight Line Construction professionals have more than 12 years of experience with remodels in North Central Florida. We can guide you through current trends and time-tested ROI options, help you achieve your desired aesthetic with interior design suggestions, and take care of everything you need regarding permits and inspections throughout the process.
Call or text us anytime at (352) 453-6909 for your free renovation consultation!