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Living Local BG

Homeowner's guide · Warren County

Winter home maintenance checklist for Bowling Green homeowners.

Winter in South Central Kentucky is cold rain, the occasional ice storm, and nights that dip below freezing about 89 times a year. This checklist is for homeowners in Bowling Green and Warren County who want the six jobs that matter most done before the hard freezes settle in: furnace, pipes, gutters, roof, windows, and safety. Every item comes from published guidance by BGMU, the Kentucky Division of Water, Kentucky Farm Bureau, the National Weather Service, ENERGY STAR, the Red Cross, and FEMA, so you can print it and work straight down the list.

Nights below freezing: about 89 a year January lows: mid-to-upper 20s First freeze: usually by late October

The Bowling Green calendar

Start now. The season gives you a running start, not a warning.

Late October

The median first fall freeze in Bowling Green, with the last spring freeze around early to mid April (NWS Louisville).

Mid-to-upper 20s

Average January overnight lows, with below-freezing nights on about 89 days a year across the season.

6 to 8 inches

Typical total snowfall, but the real troublemakers here are ice, sleet, and the freeze-thaw swings.

How to use this checklist

Three passes, none of them marathon-length. Work the checklist top to bottom, or jump straight to the section your house is telling you about.

Pass one: the walk-around

This weekend: gutters, windows, a roofline glance, the furnace filter, and every alarm battery.

Pass two: beat the freeze

Before the first hard cold snap: the pipe work, outdoor faucets, and knowing your shut-off valve.

Pass three: all season

Monthly filters and alarms, plus a vents-and-roof sweep after every storm. A few minutes, twice a month.

The checklist

Six sections, about three dozen boxes

Tick items as you go on screen, or print it and work with a pencil. The sources for every item are listed at the bottom of the page.

Choose "Save as PDF" in the print dialog to keep a copy.

Furnace Pipes Gutters Roof Windows Safety

01 · Furnace

Furnace and heat pump

02 · Pipes

Pipes and plumbing

03 · Gutters

Gutters and downspouts

04 · Roof

Roof and ice dams

05 · Windows

Windows and doors

06 · Safety

Safety checks

When in doubt, call the pro: this list is prevention, not diagnosis. If something already looks wrong, a furnace that will not light, a wet ceiling stain, a chimney you have never swept, skip the checkbox and make the call.

Trusted help, and how to choose it

The local trades that keep a house warm

Guidance, not endorsements: how to vet a provider.

These are the service categories Warren County homeowners reach for in a Kentucky winter, with the questions to ask before you hire. We are not recommending specific businesses; we are telling you how to check the ones you call. Verify licensing at dhbc.ky.gov, and always get a written quote.

Category

HVAC and heat pumps

Annual tune-ups, filter service, repairs, and the emergency heat you hope you never need.

How to choose

Kentucky licenses HVAC contractors through the Division of HVAC at the Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction (KRS 198B), and a master contractor must supervise the work and carry liability insurance. Verify any license for free on the DHBC License Search portal at dhbc.ky.gov, get two or three written quotes, and book annual maintenance before cold snaps fill every calendar.

Category

Plumbing

Frozen pipe help, shut-off valve work, and the winter check that saves a flooded basement.

How to choose

Kentucky licenses plumbers through DHBC under KRS Chapter 318, so the same free license search applies. Ask whether the plumber is insured, get a written quote, and while they are there, have them show you the main water shut-off.

Category

Roofing

Shingle and flashing repairs, roof replacement quotes, and snow-load questions.

How to choose

Kentucky does not license roofers statewide, so the vetting is on you: look for KRCA-certified contractors, a voluntary program that requires $1 million in general liability, workers comp, and a code of ethics. Confirm their insurance, and collect two or three written quotes with a clear warranty.

Category

Gutter cleaning

Fall and winter gutter clears, downspout checks, and small guards and repairs.

How to choose

No state license covers gutter work, so confirm the company is insured, ask how crews protect gutters and landscaping, and get a written price before anyone climbs a ladder.

Category

Chimney

Annual inspection and cleaning, cap and flue repairs, and creosote questions.

How to choose

Kentucky does not license chimney sweeps. Look for a CSIA-certified sweep, a national exam re-certified every three years, or an NFI-certified pro, and book the inspection once a year before the first fire.

Where this checklist comes from

Every item above is drawn from official or trusted guidance published by local utilities and agencies, plus national authorities. The links below are the primary sources we worked from, so you can check the details yourself. Climate figures come from the National Weather Service's frost and freeze data for Bowling Green and long-term climate normals.

From the Living in Kentucky Team

A warm house is a Bowling Green house

Living Local BG is researched and written by the Living in Kentucky Team, the relocation-focused team that built this community guide. If you are moving to Bowling Green, or you just want a local read on your home and the season ahead, Melissa is happy to talk it through.

Get in touch livinginkentuckyteam.com