Are you ready for the cold?
The time has come for cold weather—some of the coldest we’ve had this season! Make sure you follow the tips below to stay warm and safe as temperatures drop.
Thermostat
- Make sure you keep your thermostat set to a minimum of 65 degrees. With below zero temperatures, your heating system may have a harder time keeping up to where you’ve set it. A minimum of 65 degrees will help to prevent pipes from freezing, especially when combined with other measures.
- Once your thermostat is set, keep it consistent—even if you aren’t home. This will create less demand for your heating system as it comes up to temperature, which may take longer than usual.
Air Flow
- Keep doors between rooms and cabinet doors under sinks open. This lets warm air flow around pipes and throughout your home to prevent plumbing from freezing.
- Pull furniture away from heat sources. Make sure your furniture is not blocking baseboard heaters or heat duct exchanges to allow warm air to circulate.
- Check that your windows, exterior doors, and garage doors are properly closed and locked. Closing and locking windows—especially double-hung windows—and doors will help keep out drafts. For double-hung windows that don’t seem to lock, push UP on the top part of the window while pushing DOWN on the lower half before turning the lock.
Salting
- Expect black and visible ice, even on salted surfaces. Salt is ineffective at extremely low temperatures, so make sure to take extra care on driveways and walkways, even if they have been cleared and salted.
- Do not call the emergency line to request salt. This impedes our emergency response time. Instead, limit non-essential travel and be cautious at all times on driveways and walkways.
Carbon Monoxide and Fire Safety
- Keep heating system vents and dryer vents clear of snow. Blocked vents can be extremely dangerous, with the potential to cause carbon monoxide poisoning or fires. Check all your outside vents to make sure that no snow or ice is blocking them. See the images below for reference.
Emergency Preparedness
- Identify the water shut-off for your home and how it works. In the event of a pipe bursting or other water-related issue, using your home’s water-shut off valve should be your first step.
- Make sure you know who to call. If you are experiencing a maintenance emergency call (802) 951-4432. If you are experiencing an immediate threat to your safety, such as a fire, call 911. For general non-emergency maintenance requests, use your Online Portal.
24/7 Emergency Maintenance Pager: (802) 951-4432
