RALEIGH, N.C. — Brutally cold temperatures are taking a toll on consumers across North Carolina.

What You Need To Know

  • The Better Business Bureau says winter weather can damage heating systems, pipes and vehicles, all of which can lead to a big hit to your wallet

  • The BBB says the most important things you can do are check on your car battery and your heating system

  • The organization says if you need to hire a plumber, especially during the holidays and cold weather, it's important that you do that as quickly as possible but also research contractors, too

The Better Business Bureau says winter weather can cause some serious damage to your wallet. These conditions can lead to faulty heating systems, frozen pipes or a broken-down car.

Nick Hill with the BBB of Eastern North Carolina explained how people can protect their wallet during the winter weather.

Question: If people suffer damage to their heating and plumbing systems, what steps should they take to make sure they're not breaking their bank accounts?

“Before you hire anybody to do work on your heating or plumbing systems, do some research. First, you're going to want to work with somebody who's trustworthy and reliable. So do a quick search on these companies. But also, it's important that, especially with plumbing, that you hire somebody, fix that as soon as possible. Damaged pipes, if you leave them sitting around, could really make a bad impact on your home and its condition,” Hill said.

Hill says if you need to hire a plumber, especially during the holidays and especially during the cold weather, it's important that you do that as quickly as possible.

Question: This is the season where people experience flat tires or a lot of damage to their vehicles. How can we keep our cars ready for conditions that we're experiencing right now?

“If you are going to need to be doing any travel during the winter or you need to go anywhere, especially during an emergency, it's important that you keep maintenance on your car and make sure it's functioning properly. Before you go anywhere, replace and refill all of your fluids and inspect and switch your tires. Nobody wants to have a flat tire during the winter weather or skid around,” Hill said.

Hill says the most important thing you can do when it comes to car maintenance is to check your battery.

“It's well-known that batteries can lose power during cold weather, so if you need to do any sort of traveling, make sure that all of that is in working order,” Hill said.

Question: How can we avoid fly-by-night contractors?

“If you need to hire a contractor, it's smart that you hire somebody who's local as opposed to these fly-by-night contractors. These fly-by-night contractors often use these high-pressure sales tactics and often would seem to be really good prices, but they're not always trustworthy. So instead of working with these often, you know, door-to-door salesmen, it's smart that you work with somebody in your area who you can verify that they're trustworthy,” Hill said.

Hill says to shop around and get three estimates.

Question: What tips do you have for people who plan to buy replacement parts for appliances?

“If your appliance breaks down during the winter, you should consider your options as to whether you should buy replacement parts or just get it replaced in general. Buying a replacement part for your appliance could be cheaper, but if it's older than 10 years, you may need to buy an entire new appliance,” Hill said.