Salt Lake City. Utah (NAPSI) - As we settle into winter, we look ahead to lower temperatures and spending more time indoors. Whether you live in the North, South, East, West, in the mountains or near the beach, it is important to prepare your home for the winter months.

Check out the Winter Prep Checklist below for tips:

Cool Climates

• Caulk and weather-strip doors and windows

• Install storm windows or cover windows with plastic from the inside

• Insulate any water lines that run along outer walls to protect from freezing

• Verify that snow-removal equipment is operating

• Clean and check chimneys and fireplaces

• Change the filters in your furnace and boiler

• Clean the gutters

Warm Climates

• Inspect window screens

• Check ventilation throughout the home

• Check windows and doors for air leaks

• Service heating system and inspect air-conditioner filters

• Look for signs of sun damage to the exterior of the home

Whether you are preparing for snowfall, the rainy season or simply turning off the air-conditioning and enjoying a reprieve from the summer heat, don’t forget about another crucial element of preparing your home for the winter: your household water.

Culligan water helps make everything taste better, from your hot cocoa to morning coffee to meals. Culligan water filtration systems provide better-tasting drinking water for your family and guests.

When you spend more time inside in the cooler months, water usage tends to go up. You are preparing more meals, hosting parties, entertaining out-of-town guests, and washing extra dishes, linens and laundry. So as you are running down your winter prep checklist, scheduling an appointment with your local water expert to perform a quick maintenance test on your water treatment system is a great idea.

Don’t have a whole-house water filter system but would like to take a step toward improving the quality of your household drinking water? Consider a professionally installed undersink water treatment system. It can help improve the taste of your water by reducing chlorine, sediment and other possible contaminants.

If hard-water scale or other water issues impact your home, your local water professional, the Culligan Man, can help with that, too. The Culligan Man can test the water in your home, share knowledge of your local water issues and recommend a whole-house water treatment solution.

Finally, if you do happen to live in a colder climate, your local Culligan water professional may also provide a service you might not be aware existed. In select markets, Culligan dealers provide home delivery of salt for your water softener and for deicing. No more lifting heavy bags of salt in and out of your car.

So when you’re running through your Winter Prep Checklist this year, don’t forget to check off yourCulliganMan.