As the winter months approach, we alert you to some tips about preparing your home for the winter
season. Here are several items to consider:

• Disconnect your garden hose from the outside faucet
• Disconnect the outside hose or underground piping connected to your sump pump
• You may seek a permit from the city of West Fargo to discharge the sump pump water directly into
  the sewer system between the months of November 1st and April 1st; this will probably require the
  expertise of a plumber of your choice
• Check your furnace filter and change it if necessary
  • What kind of filter should you use? There are several factors one should consider when
    selecting a furnace filter. A less expensive filter will filter about 15 to 20% of the particles in
    the air, while more expensive, high efficiency filters may filter about 90%.
  • You may see on the filter the letters MERV, which stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting
    Value. The MERV indicates how effective the filter is in removing particulate matter. The
    ratings range from 1 to 16, with 16 being the most efficient. People suffering from allergies
    and respiratory conditions may wish to use a filter at the higher end MERV rating, which
    tend to use a little more energy as it takes power to push air through these filters. (This
    information was extracted from the Nest Thermostat website).
• You may wish to consider having a heating company inspect your heating system to ensure it is
  ready for our challenging winter season
• Check for any cracks or openings around your outside windows and doors that may require caulking
• Have you changed the batteries in your smoke detectors lately
• Don’t forget to clean the lint filter in your clothes dryer after each use; also, it is a good idea to
  inspect the outside vent for lint build up to prevent a possible fire hazard
• Minimize or prevent excessive condensation on your windows which can damage the wood
  surfaces; to lower the humidity levels in your home, you may need to install a dehumidifier or an
  air exchanger, etc. in order to prevent excessive condensation or ice formation; another method is
  to open windows to allow for air exchange in your home
• Mayo Clinic recommends that relative humidity in our homes should be within 30% to 50%; it
  should be noted that very low humidity levels can lead to some health issues; for more details click
  on the links below:

Mayo Clinic’s Recommendation on Humidity Levels

Mayo Clinic: Does Low Humidity Increase the Risk of Getting the Flu?

Low Humidity and Your Health