Mother Nature is always full of surprises in southern Alberta, especially as winter begins to bear down on us. Between freezing temperatures, intense winds, unseasonably warm Chinooks and bitter blizzards, winter is anything but dull. 

If you've just purchased a new home from Avonlea, you may be smiling at the thought of the coming winter. And why not? You've got your energy efficient windows and a high-efficiency furnace. Every nook and cranny has been caulked and insulated to make your home airtight. You may be rubbing your hands with glee in front of your new gas fireplace, just waiting for Old Man Winter to rear his moody head. Why? Because you can't wait to see how much you'll be saving on your utility bill this year.

As a proud new Avonlea homeowner, your enthusiasm is understandable. Energy efficiency is a high priority in every home we build. At the same time, no home is completely maintenance free. Even with building standards like ours, every home is somewhat susceptible to winter wear and tear.

To make sure that your new home doesn't take a beating from nasty winter weather, here are a few important steps to take before the first snow falls:

1. Be sure to disconnect your garden hose as ice forming inside may damage the hose or faucet. If the garden hose connection has a valve inside the house, be sure to shut it off to prevent freezing and possible bursting.
2. If you have a landscaping sprinkler system, make sure it is properly drained and winterized.
3. Clear all debris from your gutters and downspouts. Build-up over the fall and winter will cause poor drainage in the spring, which could possibly damage your roof.
4. Inspect your roof for missing or damaged shingles, loose fascia, eaves troughs, or downspouts.
5. Cover your air-conditioner to prevent snow and ice build-up.
6. Condensation is normal during cold weather, especially in new houses that are "drying out".  Wipe moisture away from windows regularly to prevent the build-up of mold and damage to seals.
7. Your fireplace/chimney should be inspected and cleaned at least once a year by a professional.
8. Clean or replace your furnace filters to maximize the air quality in your home, increase the life of your furnace and improve its efficiency.
9. Be sure to test and clean your smoke and carbon monoxide detector(s) regularly.

If this is your first winter in your home, you are likely still covered by our 1-year Avonlea Warranty.  If your home is less than 5 years old, you'll probably have additional coverage through ANHWP.  If problems do come up or if you have questions, call us. We're here to help.