Getting Your Upper Valley Home Ready for Winter: Pipes, Chimneys & Heating
A practical checklist for NH and VT homeowners before the deep cold sets in: protecting pipes, getting the chimney checked, servicing your heating system, and finding energy-efficiency help.
Key takeaways
- Know where your main water shutoff is before you ever need it.
- Have your chimney and woodstove inspected once a year, before burning season.
- If you leave home in winter, keep the heat set no lower than 55°F.
- Efficiency Vermont and NHSaves both offer home energy programs; check their sites for current offers.
Why it matters here
Winters along the Connecticut River can bring long stretches of below-zero nights, and many of our homes are older farmhouses and capes with pipes running along outside walls, crawlspaces, or unheated ells. A little preparation in the fall goes a long way toward avoiding a burst pipe or a cold house in January.
Protect your pipes
Frozen pipes are one of the most common and expensive winter headaches. Most of the prevention is simple:
- Find and label your main water shutoff valve so anyone in the house can close it quickly.
- Disconnect garden hoses and shut off and drain outdoor spigots.
- Insulate exposed pipes in basements, crawlspaces, garages and attics with foam pipe sleeves.
- On the coldest nights, open cabinet doors under sinks on outside walls and let a faucet drip slightly.
- Heading south for a week or the season? Keep the thermostat at 55°F or higher and ask someone to check on the house.
- On a private well, make sure the pump, pressure tank and any lines in unheated spaces are protected from freezing.
Get the chimney and woodstove checked
Wood heat is a way of life for a lot of Upper Valley households. Fire-safety standards (NFPA 211) and the Chimney Safety Institute of America recommend having chimneys, fireplaces and vents inspected at least once a year, and cleaned as needed. Creosote buildup is a leading cause of chimney fires.
Burn dry, seasoned wood, keep the area around the stove clear, and make sure you have working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms on every level of the home.
Service your heating system
Whether you heat with oil, propane, a boiler, a furnace or a heat pump, a yearly tune-up helps catch problems before the first real cold snap, when service calls get busy. Change or clean filters, keep outdoor heat pump units clear of snow and ice, and make sure exhaust vents are not blocked by drifts.
If you rely on oil or propane, check your tank level before the holidays and consider automatic delivery so you do not run low during a storm.
Look into energy-efficiency help
Air sealing, insulation and heat pumps can make an older home noticeably more comfortable. Vermont residents can check Efficiency Vermont, and New Hampshire residents can check NHSaves, for current home energy programs, rebates and energy audits. Offers change over time, so confirm details directly with the program before you plan a project.
Finding local help
Fall is the busiest season for chimney sweeps, heating technicians and plumbers, so it pays to book early. Below you will find Upper Valley professionals listed in the related service categories. Always confirm licensing, insurance and availability directly with the company.
Find Upper Valley pros
Sources
This guide is general information, not professional advice. Confirm details with a qualified local professional.