A power company is rebroadcasting a winter weather warning for our area: expect lots of snow this year.
Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative warned customers this week the Farmers Almanac and AccuWeather have both predicted above-normal snowfall for the Mid-Atlantic and New England regions this winter. This prediction comes after unusually mild winter least winter season which brought the onset of an early spring.
So, with the weather predictions come tips about saving energy and keeping your house warm this winter.
“Air leakage in a typical house can account for 35 percent of its annual energy consumption. That’s a lot! Stop air leaks now before winter gets here. It’s uncomfortably cold to crawl around the attic and under a crawl space to install insulation when it’s below 40 degrees. Furthermore, caulking and weatherstripping need to be done when it’s above 40 degrees,” stated Bob Cornwell, in NOVEC’s Energy Services Department.
From washing windows to let in more sunlight to how not to let heat escape through the flue, Cornwell included his list of tips:
• Remove old, cracked caulk and apply new silicone or latex caulk with a caulking gun around windows and doors, and fireplace hearths. Spray expandable foam around pipes, wires, and vents that go outside.
• InstallR38-R60 insulation – either in rolls or loose – between attic joists. Install unfaced R19 insulation batting under the house floor, accessible in the crawl space. When you replace siding, install insulation board or wrap before attaching new siding.
• Insert foam rubber insulation pads under wall outlet and switch covers. Replace covers and push child-protection inserts into outlets to stop drafts.
• Wash windows to let the sun’s warmth help heat the house. Close window treatments at night to help keep warm air indoors.
• Apply weatherstripping around windows. As an extra wind barrier, cover windows with plastic available at hardware and home stores.
• Adhere weatherstripping around drafty exterior doors and attach insulating door sweeps to help block cold air from penetrating under the threshold.
• Keep garage doors closed most of the time if the garage is attached to the house.
• Set the furnace thermostat at 68 degrees or lower. Cornwell says, “Leave a heat pump thermostat at a constant setting, but if the home is unoccupied for four or more hours, set the thermostat back five degrees.”
• Replace heating-system filters monthly. A dirty filter restricts air flow and makes the system work harder.
• An open fireplace without glass doors draws heated indoor air up the flue. When the fireplace is not in use, close the damper and glass doors to prevent as much as 14 percent air leakage.
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Spotsylvania County Public Schools (SCPS) has announced the closure of all schools and offices for tomorrow, Monday, January 6, 2025. The decision, which affects over 23,000 students and 31 schools across the county, was shared on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
The post reads:
“All Spotsylvania County Public Schools campuses and offices are closed on Monday, January 6, 2025. All school sponsored activities including student externships are cancelled. School employees: Code 0 – no employees report.”
The closure also halts all school-sponsored activities, including student externships, for the day. No details regarding the reason for the closure were provided in the announcement.
Fredericksburg City Public Schools (FCPS) has announced that all schools will be closed on Monday, January 6, due to the impending winter storm expected to bring heavy snowfall and hazardous conditions to the area. The announcement was made on the school division’s official account on X, formerly Twitter.
“Fredericksburg City Public Schools will extend winter break by one day. This means all buildings will be closed on Monday, January 6. Tuesday, January 7, will be a staff workday. Students will report to school on Wednesday, January 8,” the statement read.
The University of Mary Washington (UMW) has announced that all campuses will be closed on Monday, January 6, 2025, due to the anticipated winter storm expected to impact the region. The announcement was shared on the university’s official X account, formerly known as Twitter, on Sunday, January 5.
The message stated:
“Due to the forecasted winter storm later today, Sunday, January 5, 2025, all UMW campuses (Fredericksburg, Stafford, Dahlgren) will be closed all day Monday, January 6.”
UMW is home to approximately 4,000 undergraduate students and 600 graduate students, with campuses located in Fredericksburg, Stafford, and Dahlgren. The university comprises three colleges: the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Education, and the College of Business. UMW is known for its strong emphasis on liberal arts and personalized learning experiences.
King George County Public Schools announced that all schools in the division will be closed on Monday, January 6, 2025, in anticipation of inclement weather. The announcement was made via X, formerly known as Twitter, citing concerns for the safety of students and staff.
The message stated:
“Due to the anticipated inclement weather forecast for tomorrow, January 6, King George County Schools will be closed. Code 1 for 12-month employees (do not report). Please stay safe and warm, and enjoy the extra time at home.”
King George County Public Schools serve approximately 4,400 students across five schools, including three elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. The school division employs over 300 teachers and staff, working together to support the academic and personal growth of students in the community.
Experience the passion and drama of Puccini’s “The Girl from the Golden West”.
Featuring special guest musicians from The Chesapeake Youth Orchestra, this performance brings Puccini’s masterpiece to life with an extraordinary cast.
Featuring:
Travel to French soil and celebrate with us for an unforgettable evening of delicious food, wine and music.
What better way to celebrate the end of the 2024 wine harvest in style than at the Embassy of France at DC’s only official celebration?
This is the Wine Event Of The Year!
