Cold Weather Maintenance
Managing moisture and keeping key systems running smoothly in winter helps protect your home and keeps it comfortable.
HOT WATER SYSTEMS
(No Hot Water in Cold Weather)
If you lose hot water during freezing weather, it’s often because snow, ice, or frost is blocking the intake.
What to do:
- Find the intake (outside).
- Clear away snow/ice/debris, or gently tap the intake to loosen frost.
- Once the blockage is removed, the system should restart automatically.
FURNACE TIPS
- Check and replace furnace filters regularly (dirty filters reduce airflow and performance).
- Make sure the small 90-degree furnace intake is free of ice and debris.
MANAGING HUMIDITY AND CONDENSATION
(Prevent Frost & Moisture Problems)
Too much indoor humidity in cold weather can cause condensation and frost on windows/doors and can lead to moisture damage.
Reduce moisture at the source
- Run the bathroom fan for no more than 20 minutes after showering (longer runtimes in extreme cold can contribute to frost buildup in the vent).
- Use the kitchen fan while cooking or boiling water.
Improve airflow and ventilation
- Keep interior doors open and run the furnace fan continuously to improve circulation.
- Keep heat registers open and cold air returns clear (don’t block them).
- During extreme cold, turn on the ventilation setting on your thermostat (if equipped).
Limit condensation on windows and doors
- Avoid using humidifiers in cold weather.
- Keep drapes and blinds open so warm air can reach window surfaces.
- Wipe condensation off windows and doorframes regularly.
- Lower your thermostat humidity setting in colder months to reduce window/door condensation.
Important Note
Excess humidity can cause frost on windows, doors, baseboards, or ceilings, and can create attic moisture problems such as “attic rain” (when attic frost melts and drips onto insulation).
