Getting your home ready for winter's worst

So, there’s this little weather phenomenon called “Super El Nino” that is apparently very angry for being away from us for the past nine years and plans to wreak havoc on our upcoming winter season by producing wetter-than-average conditions for the Southeast. Pair that with cold temperatures, and this area may see an abundance of the white stuff.

Don’t let the “Super” moniker fool you. This one doesn’t don a cape, is not here to save the day, and is most certainly not a hero. Neither can it be compared to a “Super-sized” fast-food meal because those are generally pleasing. Not so much afterwards.

No, this “Super El Nino” doesn’t like us very much and likely won’t be a welcome visitor, bringing strong-to-very-strong conditions January through March 2027.

Unlike the maddening roommate who lets their dishes pile up in the sink for you to clean them while they devour your last Hot Pocket, we can’t kick it out once it’s here. We’ll just have to make the best of the situation by being the welcoming Burke County folk we are and adequately preparing for its months-long visit.

How should we prepare for this “Super El Nino” when we ultimately don’t know how it will impact us here in the North Carolina foothills?

The first thing you can do is visit the ready.gov website and follow the steps for building a disaster supply kit. Having one handy will help in any disaster situation, including hurricanes and flooding, which we are all too familiar with.

The second thing you can do is to winterize your home by blocking drafts and sealing leaks to conserve energy. According to the US Department of Energy (DOE), doing this prevents up to 25% of conditioned air loss, saving an estimated $200 to $400 annually. Upgrading to a smart thermostat is another DOE recommendation to efficiently keep your home cozy warm this winter season. Installing and properly programming a smart thermostat cuts heating and cooling usage by 10% to 12% annually.

Winterizing your home is relatively easy to do yourself. With low temperatures outside and preferably on a windy day, simply go to each window and exterior door and feel for any potential drafts of cold air coming through the seals. If you feel a leak, install new weather stripping along those areas. Installing a smart/Wi-Fi thermostat is slightly more challenging, but any avid DIYer can do it.

As a professional handyman, I go a step beyond the “feel” method, using infrared thermometer guns to accurately detect areas that should be sealed. Who doesn’t want to save $200 to $400 dollars annually?

You can save even more of your hard-earned dollars with switching out your old manual/mechanical thermostat to take advantage of the 10% to 12% annual energy savings one can provide. If you’re not ready to take the plunge into smart home territory by installing a smart/Wi-Fi thermostat, installing a programmable thermostat allows you to preset specific temperature schedules for different times of day during the week to automatically save energy when you are away or sleeping.

It’s also wise to insulate your outdoor faucets (i.e., hose bibbs or sillcocks) to prevent the water they’re holding from freezing and bursting your pipes. Covering each faucet with a foam hood or fabric sock can prevent a very expensive repair bill.

Taking little steps can add up to make a big difference. We are here to help if you need it. At Trailhead Home Services, we listen, we build relationships, and we fix things. And together, we can prevent this “Super El Nino” from stealing our last Hot Pocket.