For those of you who have always lived in Michigan, you probably know how to prepare for the impending winter season. However, if you moved to Kalamazoo from a warmer climate to complete your undergraduate or graduate work, you may not have any experience dealing with snow and winter weather. Being unprepared for the winter season can lead to trouble and headaches, so we at Bronco Apartments would like to offer some helpful tips on how you can better handle the winter months to stay on schedule and stay comfortable in your Kalamazoo apartment.

Test Your Heat

If you are renting an apartment in Kalamazoo, it’s best to test your heat before winter really kicks in. This way, if your heating isn’t working in your apartment, you can get the problem fixed ahead of time, rather than sitting in your apartment, freezing during a cold day while waiting for the repairman to show up. Be proactive and make sure your heat is ready before Jack Frost starts nipping at your nose.

Don’t Let Your Pipes Freeze

Your apartment manager will probably remind you of this, but when the temperatures dip well below freezing, you run the risk of water pipes freezing, which can cause major problems for you and your neighbors. This is why you should set faucets to run at a slow trickle during these colder spans to keep water flowing through the pipes so it doesn’t freeze. You should also do this if you plan to travel away from your apartment for more than a couple of days, just in case the temperatures drop drastically during your absence.

Keep Heating Costs Under Control

You are obviously going to want to keep your heat on during the winter, but you also want to keep your energy bills under control. You can do this by lowering the temperature about 5 degrees before you leave for work or school. This will result in your heating unit using less energy, and your monthly gas or electric bills will drop accordingly.

Be Prepared for Emergencies

You never know when Mother Nature will rear her head and bring a blizzard that can cause power outages in worst case scenarios. When this happens, you will need some things. Make sure you have a flashlight with fresh batteries. Extra blankets will help keep you warm until the heat comes back on. You should also make sure you have bottled water and non-perishable food, so you at least have something to eat until the power comes back on.

By following these steps, you can make it through difficult weather spans. If you have any other winter concerns about the apartment you are renting in Kalamazoo, get in touch with the management team at Bronco Apartments, and they will help you get through your first winter. Contact us for more information about apartments to rent in Kalamazoo.