With frigid temperatures set to return, it’s essential to protect against the extreme cold.

Though temperatures are expected to go above the freezing mark today, it will be a short reprieve as the cold makes its return.

From proper home maintenance, to reducing energy costs, to dressing in layers, there are ways to safeguard against the bitter cold.

Avoid frozen pipes

Louis Accardi, owner of Home Comfort Solutions in Lehighton, said frozen pipes are a major issue this time of year.

Accardi shared tips to help with reducing pipe breakage, such as to open kitchen cabinets, the lower part or the vanities and let air from the room get in the cabinets, and to let faucets drip.

“Prewinter, make sure that all the drafts are plugged up, insulation wrap on the pipes that may be on an outer wall, especially in older homes,” Accardi said. “If you know there’s a problem on a certain second-story bathroom, take precautionary measures from keeping that from freezing.”

Accardi said once the temperatures drop below 20 degrees and lower is when problems start to arise, much less when it’s down to 10 degrees or even single digits.

“We gets lots of calls (from) people with second homes or homes they are looking to sell, and they didn’t watch oil level or propane level and heat goes out and they have a whole house frozen,” he said. “A good way to keep an eye on those if you have internet is to get a Wi-Fi thermostat installed.

“Preventive pipe maintenance is the key and ways to monitor your heating system or cooling system, whatever you have. If you’re using space heaters, don’t turn your main heating down at a real low temperature because then your heating pipes are going to circulate.”

Accardi added, “We have a lot of freeze-ups this year.”

“What really impacted that was the severe cold that we’ve had and the fact that a lot of people are only in the homes a year or two and having experienced this heat, last year was more mild,” he said. “The real estate market in general, so many properties have changed hands that there are (many) new owners in there for a year or two, and this is the first time they are having a freeze up because they didn’t know the precautionary measures.”

Reduce energy costs

Just because the cold weather is here doesn’t mean there aren’t ways to be energy efficient.

Though it’s normal to see energy use increase, PPL Electric Utilities has ways to help its customers save by virtue of energy-efficient tips, according to Jane George, Regional Affairs Director, PPL Electric Utilities.

“As the temperature drops, it’s normal to see energy use increase, leading to higher-than-normal bills in colder months,” George said.

The burden is greater this year because of rising costs of natural gas, transferring to heating oil increases.

PPL Electric Utilities will work with customers on bills.

PPL recommends:

• Seal hidden leaks: Even if you can’t see it, air can escape your home in spaces around windows, doors, skylights and other openings. Start by checking your window and door trims and seal them up using stripping or covers available at most home supply stores.

• Keep the air flowing: It’s important to make sure that rugs, drapes and furniture are not blocking the airflow to and from heating registers, radiators or baseboard heaters. Clearing these ensures every room is getting the proper circulation, your system is working as intended and you are using less energy.

• Love the layered look: You can save up to 1% in heating costs for every degree you dial back your thermostat, according to the Department of Energy. Consider snuggling into a sweater and layer on natural fibers to keep in warmth. This will allow you to turn down the heat, saving energy in the process.

• Let the sun in, close the cold out: Allowing the sun to shine in through your windows during the day can keep your home warmer, which means using less energy. And when the sun goes down, be sure to close the drapes to reduce heat loss through windows.

Vehicles affected

It’s a known fact that colder weather take its toll on vehicles.

From low tire pressure, to dead batteries, or even damage to wiper blades, freezing temperatures can wreak havoc on vehicles.

Don Kresge, service manager at Frank’s Service Center and Schlier’s Towing in Lehighton, said that while there have been issues with car batteries, it isn’t a situation that’s been out of control.

“Battery sales are a little bit higher than normal,” Kresge said. “Breakdowns, not really seeing a whole lot more as far as being cold.”

Medical issues

Sam Kennedy, director of corporate communications for St. Luke’s University Health Network, said cold weather issues have kept the network busy.

Kennedy said St. Luke’s has treated the elderly as the result of multiple falls from slipping on black ice; difficulty getting in and out of the house for doctor’s appointments; and high volume EMS calls and needs during winter due to transportation.

With regard to hypothermia, he said there have been a few drug overdoses found in the field, but not much this year.

However, Kennedy said there have been plenty of instances of colds, flus and other respiratory illnesses, and added there have been high volumes of RSV with some flu (especially in children), along with an unprecedented volume of COVID-19.