It’s officially cold outside and you know what that means? It’s time to start thinking about winterizing your home! Below are some tips on winterization optimization:
1) CLEAN YOUR GUTTERS – Remove debris and leaves before they become compost popsicles, thus clogging up your downspouts and causing further complications!
2) SEAL YOUR LEAKS – Search for them with a lit incense stick, a quick, easy and fragrant way to find those leaks. After you find them, plug them with caulk or sealer. Fill the areas around doors and windows with weather stripping. You’ll save big bucks on your utility bills.
3) DOORS AND WINDOWS – Door and window technology keeps making colossal leaps in recent years. If it has been a while, replace any archaic windows with something weather tight. For a budget-friendly fix, use plastic window insulation or make a draft snake. Dodge the draft in a crafty way!
4) INSULATION – If you are in the midst of a home improvement project or are repairing a wall or ceiling, take the opportunity to add more insulation. Over-insulating is always better than under-insulating. Here is a thorough article about where you should insulate. Pack it in and your utility bills will surely take a nosedive. While you’re at it, go ahead and wrap those pipes. A burst water pipe can be a weekend washout!
5) FILTERS, FANS AND BATTERIES – Take a walk around your house. First, go to the basement and replace your furnace filter; it’ll ensure your furnace is running at peak efficiency, and turn down your water heater to 120 degrees. Your costs may drop as much as 10 percent! Next, set all of your ceiling fans to reverse and replace the batteries in your smoke detectors and thermostats.
6) CHIMNEYS AND DUCTS- If you have a fireplace, make sure you remain the envy of your friends and maintain it! Always inspect your chimney before you use it and keep the damper closed when it’s not in use. If you have ducts, they are the lungs of your house, make sure they too are dust and debris free by vacuuming them every couple years. YOUR lungs will thank you. Seal your ducts and conserve up to $140 annually! If you have radiators, you can prepare them for the winter as well.
7) EXTRA TIPS- If you have a mid-century “classic” thermostat, it’s time to get with the program – programmable thermostat that is! A programmable thermostat will adjust the temperature of your house during daylight hours while you are at work and warm the house up for your arrival.
Further, you can lower the overall temperature of your house by simply dressing accordingly. Thus saving big bucks over the chilly months.
Last, but not least: Trim nearby trees to prevent ice buildup and falling branches. Your roof (and your car) will thank you!
