BLOGS

Stay Heated When the Thermometer Drops

The world over recognizes the fact that Colorado winters are gorgeous... but we know it’s true from inside the house. Outside, it’s a beautiful landscape of sub-zero temperatures and wind that feels like it’s trying to exfoliate your soul.

At Montano Homes, we build our houses to handle the Rockies, but even the sturdiest home needs a little TLC when the polar vortex decides to move into the guest room. If you don't want to spend your January huddled around the fireplace wearing three parkas, it’s time to fortify your fortress! In this month’s article we’ll delve into how to keep the "brrr" out and the "ahh" in when the thermometer hits those scary negative numbers.

Give Your Pipes a "Winter Coat"

Nothing ruins a cozy evening faster than the sound of a pipe going KABOOM. When the temps drop below zero, your pipes are the most vulnerable.

• The Insulation Hack: Use foam pipe sleeves on any exposed copper in the basement or crawlspace.
• The "Drip" Method: On those -10°F nights, let your faucets drip just a tiny bit. Moving water is much harder to freeze than a stagnant icy block!
• Open the Cupboards: Open your under-sink cabinet doors. It feels weird, but it lets the warm air from your kitchen reach those hidden pipes.

The Great "Draft Hunt"

If you feel a phantom breeze while watching Netflix, you’ve got a leak.

• The Incense Test: Light a stick of incense (or a candle) and walk slowly around your windows and doors. If the smoke flickers, you’ve found an intruder.
• Weatherstripping: Replacing a worn-out door seal is cheap and takes ten minutes, but it can save you a fortune on your heating bill.
• The "Door Snake": Not a real snake (thank goodness). Those weighted fabric tubes at the base of your doors are surprisingly effective at stopping the "floor-level freeze."

Check the "Brain" of the House (The HVAC)

Your furnace is about to run a marathon. Don't make it run in flip-flops.

• Filter Check: A dirty filter makes your furnace work twice as hard. Change it now!
• Vent Clearance: Make sure your registers aren't blocked by that giant beanbag chair or the dog’s bed. Air needs to circulate to keep the room's temperature even.

The "Reverse" Psychology of Ceiling Fans

Did you know your ceiling fan has a "Winter Mode"? Most fans have a small toggle switch on the side.

[Image of ceiling fan blade direction for winter and summer]

Flip it so the blades spin clockwise. This creates an updraft that pushes all that warm air (which is currently chilling on your ceiling) back down to your level. It’s basically free heat!

Don't Forget the Outside!

• Disconnect the Hoses: This is the #1 cause of flooded basements in Colorado. If you leave your garden hose attached, the water stays trapped in the spigot and freezes back into the house.
• Cover the Spigots: Use those little foam "hats" for your outdoor faucets. They look silly, but they work.

Why a Montano Home Has Your Back

Feature	The Colorado Cold Benefit
High-Performance Windows	Double or triple panes act as a thermal shield.
Advanced Air Sealing	We stop the drafts before you even move in.
Modern Insulation	Like a high-end down comforter for your entire house.

The Montano Difference

We live here, too. We know that a Colorado home has to be more than just pretty—it has to be a tank. When we design our homes, we’re thinking about those -20°F nights in February just as much as the sunny July afternoons.

By Montano Homes Staff | 1-1-2026